Checks and Balances

A detailed Summary of Checks and Balances


The checks and balances are a system for separation of powers. It is there to make sure that no one group or branch of government can have exclusive control. Each of the three branches has their own powers to check the action of the other branches. The three branches are legislative, judicial, and executive. The legislative branch is Congress and they pass the laws. The executive branch that is the president administers and enforces the laws. The judicial branch is the courts that interpret the laws. These separation of powers are established in Articles I, II, and III of the Constitution. John Adams once said, "It is by balancing each of these powers against the other two, that the efforts in human nature toward tyranny can alone be checked and restrained, and any degree of freedom preserved in the Constitution." (Britannica, Internet)

The checks and balances system is seen through five basic institutional fea


tures. The first check is that all three branches have some powers that overlap authority this way they limit each other. The second check comes from the power being divided in the legislative branch. This means both the House of Representatives and Senate must agree on exact wording to pass a bill. The third check makes sure they know what kinds of activities are taking place in certain localities and states. This becomes important especially when states are conflicting. The fourth check is the power of lawmakers. They account for those whom elected them into office. The power of lawmakers isn't based on their social status as it is in other country governments. The fifth check starts from civil liberties that are stated in the Constitution. These powers are freedom of speech, press, and assembly. This is if rights are improperly imposed by government the media can let the American people k!

The idea of checks and balances was star

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 640
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Politics

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