GED Social Studies TestCivics and GovernmentEasy
A newly elected mayor is reviewing the city's budget process. She learns that the city council has the power to approve or reject the mayor's proposed budget, but the mayor can veto specific line items within the budget. This scenario is an example of which constitutional principle applied at the local level?
- AJudicial Review
- BFederalism
- CChecks and Balances
- DPopular Sovereignty
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Checks and Balances
The scenario describes different branches (mayor and city council) having powers that limit or control the actions of the other, preventing any single entity from becoming too powerful. This is the essence of checks and balances.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Judicial Review is the power of courts to determine if laws are constitutional, which is not depicted in this scenario.
- B. Federalism is the division of power between national and state/local governments, not within a single level of government.
- D. Popular Sovereignty refers to the idea that the government's power comes from the consent of the people, not the interaction between branches.
Checks and Balances
A system in which each branch of government has some measure of influence over the other branches, and may choose to block procedures of the other branches.
- Prevents concentration of power
- Ensures accountability
- Examples include presidential veto, congressional override, judicial review
Memory trick: Checks and Balances keep power in check, like a balanced scale.