Checks and balances

The three branches of government have many important duties.

They share many powers. However, the three branches of government also watch over each other. This watching over is known as the system of checks and balances. Each branch acts as a

check (a control) on the other two branches. The three branches also balance each other's powers. That way no single branch becomes too powerful. The system of checks and balances was set up by the Constitution.

There is another way that the power of government as a whole is checked. This way is not mentioned in the Constitution. People help to check the power of government.

The purpose of the system

The writers of the Constitution wanted to make sure that the powers of the government would be shared. They did not want one branch of government to be more powerful than the other branches. They also did not want a strong executive power. They wanted all the people to have a say in government. The Constitution calls for a separation, or division, of powers in government. There are three main parts to the separation of powers idea:

• No person may serve in more than one branch at a time.

• The Constitution lists the powers and duties of each branch of government.

• Each branch has enough power to check the power of the other branches.

Separation of powers keeps one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

Because of the checks and balances systems, one branch cannot work alone. All three branches must work together. Each branch can check what another branch is doing. Each branch can also balance the powers of another branch by working together.

The system of checks and balances is used often. Many changes in government have come from the use of checks and balances. The 16th Amendment is an example of how checks and balances have changed the government.

Executive Branch (President)