What key principle do Checks and Balances support?

Checks and balances are fundamental to the structure of the United States government, as they ensure that no single branch of government—executive, legislative, or judicial—gains too much power. This principle promotes a system in which each branch has the ability to monitor and limit the actions of the others, thereby creating a balance of power. For example, while the legislative branch creates laws, the executive branch can veto those laws, and the judicial branch can review laws for their constitutionality.

This distribution of power prevents any one branch from exercising unchecked authority, upholding the democratic ideals of accountability and separation of powers. Such a system is essential for protecting individual liberties and fostering a government that is responsive to the needs of the citizens. Through these checks, the government remains decentralized and power is distributed in a way that encourages cooperation and dialogue among the branches, rather than dominance by one over the others.