What is the purpose of checks and balances?

The purpose of checks and balances is fundamentally rooted in the design of the government to prevent any single branch from overstepping its authority and becoming too powerful. This system is integral to the separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Each branch has specific powers and responsibilities, and they are equipped with mechanisms to check the authority of the others. For example, the legislative branch can make laws, but the executive branch has the power to veto those laws. Likewise, the judicial branch can review the constitutionality of laws passed by the legislature.

This framework was established to maintain a balance of power and protect democratic principles, ensuring that no single entity can dominate the government or infringe upon the rights of citizens. The checks and balances system cultivates accountability and encourages cooperation among branches, which is vital for maintaining liberty and justice within the framework of the Constitution. Other options, although they may relate to governance in some aspect, do not encapsulate the core function of checks and balances as effectively as this one.