Explain how checks and balances work.(1 point)
1. Each branch of government has the power to check, or limit, the actions of the others.
2. Each branch of government has equal power.
3. Each branch of government gets to collect taxes from the people.
4. Each branch of government gets to decide on how a war should end.
The correct explanation is:
A system of checks and balances is a fundamental principle in the structure of the government that ensures no one branch becomes too powerful. It works by distributing power among the three branches of government - the executive, legislative, and judicial branches - in a way that each branch has a means to limit, or check, the actions of the others.
This is achieved through various powers and responsibilities assigned to each branch. For example, the legislative branch, which consists of Congress, can check the executive branch by approving or rejecting presidential appointments and treaties. They also have the power to impeach and remove the president from office.
Similarly, the executive branch, headed by the president, can check the legislative branch by vetoing bills passed by Congress. This power allows the president to prevent a bill from becoming a law, but it can be overridden by a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of Congress.
Additionally, the judicial branch, represented by the Supreme Court, can check both the executive and legislative branches by declaring laws or executive actions unconstitutional. This power of judicial review ensures that the other branches are acting within the limits set by the Constitution.
It is important to note that checks and balances do not mean each branch has equal power. The power is divided but not necessarily equal, as each branch is assigned different roles and responsibilities. Furthermore, the power to collect taxes from the people is primarily within the jurisdiction of the legislative branch, while decisions regarding how a war should end are typically made by the executive branch, specifically the president as commander-in-chief, in consultation with Congress.