Checks and balances
In politics, the principle of checks and balances underlies many democratic governments. The term was coined by Montesquieu during the Enlightenment. The principle is an outgrowth of the classical idea of separation of powers. The first national system of checks and balances was outlined by the United States Constitution in 1789.A government is said to have an effective system of checks and balances if no one branch of government holds total power, and can be overidden by another.
In most nations with a three-branch government, the process of checks and balances works in a manner similar to this:
- The executive branch approves the bills of the legislature into law, but retains the right of veto or suspension. It can also appoint judges and cabinet members, and can pardon citizens.
- The legislative branch has the authority to impeach members of the executive or judicial branch from office, or force elections. It also confirms or denies executive and judicial appointees, and can override vetos. In many countries, members of the executive, including the cabinet are also selected directly from the legislature.
- The judiciary's primary function is to ensure that the laws passed by the government are obeyed. It can also throw out laws it deems illegal, or unconstitutional.
In some nations, a fourth branch of government exists either de jure or de facto: a religious branch. In such a branch, acts of any other branch are subject to review to ensure compatibility with religious tenets. Governments with such a branch are often called a theocracy, and are most commonly features of Islamist governments. These governments are per definition not balanced.
See also: separation of powers