Checks and balances
Checks and balances is the result of separation of powers; in fact, the two are closely related. Checks and balances means that the different branches of government check what the others are doing and balance each other out so that no single branch becomes supremely powerful and takes control of everything. The definition according to Dictionary.com is that it "limits imposed on all branches of a government by vesting in each branch the right to amend or voidthose acts of another that fall within its purview."
For example, the legislative branch can vote on and pass a law they feel is OK. The president, or the executive branch, can either pass the law off as well or Veto it, meaning the law won't pass. If the President says the law is Ok, but the supreme court (judiciary branch) doesn't think it's ok, they hold a court hearing to determine if the law is constitutional. If the law is deemed constitutional, it stays but if it is deemed unconstitutional, the law is taken out.
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For example, the legislative branch can vote on and pass a law they feel is OK. The president, or the executive branch, can either pass the law off as well or Veto it, meaning the law won't pass. If the President says the law is Ok, but the supreme court (judiciary branch) doesn't think it's ok, they hold a court hearing to determine if the law is constitutional. If the law is deemed constitutional, it stays but if it is deemed unconstitutional, the law is taken out.
Want to learn more? Click here, here, or here.