Checks And Balances
A system of government in which no branch has more power than any other
Real World Example
The concept of checks and balances was created to ensure that no single branch of government—executive, legislative, or judicial—could become too powerful. This idea was crucial when the U.S. Constitution was written around 1787 as a response to the problems faced under British rule, where the king had too much control. It aimed to prevent any form of tyranny and to protect citizens' freedoms by creating a system where each branch could limit the powers of the others. Today, checks and balances are still important because they ensure that laws and decisions are fair and balanced. For example, if the president wants to make a new law, Congress must approve it, and the Supreme Court can rule it unconstitutional, ensuring that all branches agree on the rules that affect our lives.
