Checks and Balances

The constitutional controls whereby separate branches of government have limiting powers over each other so that no branch will become supreme are called Checks and Balances. Most national, state, and local governments have at least the mechanics of a system of checks and balances. Even dictatorial governments, otherwise scorning restraints on powers, provide internal checks to insure proper performance by governmental agencies and to fix responsibility. The concept of constitutional checks arose as an outgrowth …

…cases, may declare legislation unconstitutional, but the judiciary itself is subject to executive and legislative checking through the appointment of judges and the passage of legislation governing organization, procedure, and jurisdiction of the courts. There also is a possibility of amendment of the Constitution to reverse judicial determinations. Other constitutional checks are the possible legislative removal of the president and of judges by impeachment and approval by the Senate of treaties and major presidential appointments.