What is the concept of checks and balances?
Checks and balances is a system of government created by our Founding Fathers to ensure that no government branch or office holds too much power. This system gives each branch of government its own set of powers, while also allowing each branch to limit the power of the other two branches. For example, the executive branch in California is made up of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the Attorney General. This branch has the power to enforce laws, propose legislation, and issue pardons. The legislative branch, which includes the California State Assembly and Senate, has the power to pass laws and approve the budget. Finally, the judicial branch, which includes the Supreme Court, has the power to interpret laws, make rulings, and decide the constitutionality of laws. Checks and balances works by allowing each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches. For example, in California the legislative branch can create laws, but the governor can veto those laws. The judicial branch can declare a law unconstitutional, and the legislative branch can draft a new law to replace it. At the same time, each branch of government is limited in what it can do by the other branches. For example, the governor can’t pass new laws, only propose them. The Supreme Court can only interpret laws, not create them. By having each branch of government limited and balanced by the other two, the system of checks and balances ensures that no particular branch of government holds too much power.
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