Checks and Balances
In order for our government to work effectively we need a way to make sure that one person, or group of people, does not become too powerful. In order to make sure the powers of each of our branches of government is limited, our constitution has created a system of checks and balances.
With these checks and balances, each of the three branches of government can limit the powers of the others. This way, no one branch becomes too powerful. Each branch “checks” the power of the other branches to make sure the power between them is balanced. For example, the President can sign or veto a law that Congress passes. This “check” was to created to make sure that the Congress can’t pass any law it wants without other branches of government having a say.
Can you think of any other examples checks and balances? Watch the following videos and review this webquest to list five more examples of checks and balances in our government.
With these checks and balances, each of the three branches of government can limit the powers of the others. This way, no one branch becomes too powerful. Each branch “checks” the power of the other branches to make sure the power between them is balanced. For example, the President can sign or veto a law that Congress passes. This “check” was to created to make sure that the Congress can’t pass any law it wants without other branches of government having a say.
Can you think of any other examples checks and balances? Watch the following videos and review this webquest to list five more examples of checks and balances in our government.