Checks And Balances Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Checks And Balances?

Checks and balances is a system in which branches of government can limit each other’s power in order to create a balanced form of governance. This system was put into place by the Founding Fathers during the formation of the United States Constitution and has been used ever since. Checks and balances are based on three principles: separation of powers, shared powers among different branches, and overlapping authority between branches.The first principle is the concept of separation of powers. The idea here is that no one branch should have total control over another branch or its own actions. Instead, each branch should be able to act independently within its sphere but also held accountable for any decisions it makes. In this way, the legislative, executive, and judicial branches all work together towards achieving their respective goals while still keeping an eye on each other’s activities. Second, checks and balances involve shared power among different branches; meaning that each branch has some amount of influence over what happens in another branch or in legislation as a whole. For example, Congress has the ability to approve or veto presidential appointments or laws passed by them if they deem them too extreme. Similarly, courts can strike down laws that violate constitutional rights if they find them unjust or unlawful something that checks against both legislative influence as well as executive abuse of power. Finally, overlapping authority between branches helps ensure balance when making decisions regarding legislation and policy implementation. For instance, Congress may pass a law but then need approval from both houses before it becomes official; similarly with presidential appointees who must be confirmed by both chambers before taking office (this usually requires majority votes). These processes require cooperation between legislatures so that laws are implemented efficiently and fairly across different states/regions/nations etcetera thereby maintaining balance throughout society at large. Overall checks and balances help maintain fairness across all areas affected by governmental decision-making while also preventing any one person from having absolute power over others thus creating an environment where everyone’s voice can be heard regardless of their political affiliation or social standing.