What is meant by the term 'checks and balances'?

The term 'checks and balances' defines the ability of different branches of government to stop each other from acting; it is designed to prevent one branch from gaining an inordinate amount of power. An example of the use of such checks and balances in the US government would be the Supreme Court's 2017 suspension of Trump's so-called 'Muslim Travel Ban' on the grounds of it being unconstitutional. Checks and balances were put in place by the Founding Fathers to allow cooperation and compromise between the branches, with James Madison quoted as saying "ambition must counteract ambition", thus setting out the clear intention of checks and balances.

SM
Answered by Sophie M. Government and Politics tutor

1893 Views

See similar Government and Politics A Level tutors

Related Government and Politics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Apart from voting in elections and referendums, outline two ways in which people participate in politics (5 marks)


First Past the Post (FPTP) is the best elective system


Distinguish between different types of international human rights


Why and how have liberals supported the fragmentation of government power?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences