What is the purpose of checks and balances within the government?

The purpose of checks and balances is fundamentally about decentralizing power among the three branches of government: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. This system is designed to ensure that no single branch becomes too powerful or dominates the governance process. Each branch has specific powers and responsibilities, but it also has the ability to limit the powers of the other branches. For example, while the executive can veto legislation, the legislative branch has the power to override that veto. This interdependence means that cooperation is necessary and helps to prevent any one branch from overstepping its authority.

In essence, checks and balances are a safeguard for democracy, ensuring that power is shared and that government operates in a way that is accountable to the people. It fosters a system of mutual regulation where branches must work together and cannot act unilaterally without checks on their power.