What term describes the system in which each branch of government can limit the powers of the other two branches, such as a presidential veto?

What term describes the system in which each branch of government can limit the powers of the other two branches, such as a presidential veto?

• A. Separation of powers
• B. Checks and balances
• C. Judicial review
• D. Federalism

Answer: (B)

Checks and balances describes a system where each branch has ways to restrain the others, preventing any one branch from becoming dominant. The presidential veto is a clear example: the president can block legislation, and Congress can respond by attempting to override the veto with a sufficient majority, keeping legislative and executive powers in check. This dynamic isn’t just about dividing powers; it’s about creating mechanisms that force cooperation and constrain overreach among the branches. Judicial review is another component of this system, allowing courts to strike down laws or actions that violate the Constitution, further balancing power. Federalism, by contrast, concerns the division of power between national and state governments, not the internal checks among the branches. Separation of powers explains how responsibilities are spread across branches, but the specific means by which they limit one another is the checks and balances system.

Checks and balances describes a system where each branch has ways to restrain the others, preventing any one branch from becoming dominant. The presidential veto is a clear example: the president can block legislation, and Congress can respond by attempting to override the veto with a sufficient majority, keeping legislative and executive powers in check. This dynamic isn’t just about dividing powers; it’s about creating mechanisms that force cooperation and constrain overreach among the branches. Judicial review is another component of this system, allowing courts to strike down laws or actions that violate the Constitution, further balancing power. Federalism, by contrast, concerns the division of power between national and state governments, not the internal checks among the branches. Separation of powers explains how responsibilities are spread across branches, but the specific means by which they limit one another is the checks and balances system.