U.S. Citizenship Civics TestPrinciples of American DemocracyMedium
A civics teacher is explaining how the U.S. Constitution ensures that no single branch of government becomes too powerful. She describes a system where each branch has the ability to limit or oversee the actions of the other two. What is this system called?
- AUnitary System
- BJudicial Activism
- CChecks and Balances
- DFederalism
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Checks and Balances
The system of checks and balances is a fundamental principle of the U.S. government, ensuring that no single branch (Legislative, Executive, or Judicial) can gain absolute power. Each branch can limit the powers of the others.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A unitary system is where the central government holds most of the power.
- B. Judicial activism refers to judicial rulings suspected of being based on personal opinion, not law.
- D. Federalism divides power between national and state governments, not among branches.
Checks and Balances
A system that allows each branch of government to amend or veto acts of another branch so as to prevent any one branch from exerting too much power.
- Prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful.
- Each branch can limit the others.
- Example: President can veto laws, Congress can override veto.
Memory trick: Checks and Balances keep the branches in perfect stances.