Checks and Balances Lesson

What is the concept of separation of powers?

• The concept of separation of powers is the collaboration of all government branches to make decisions.

• The concept of separation of powers is the concentration of all government responsibilities in one branch.

• The concept of separation of powers is the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.

• The concept of separation of powers is the delegation of power to a single branch of government.

Name the three branches of government in the United States.

• Executive, Legislative, Judicial

• Legislature, Executive, Administrative

• Legislative, Judicial, Administrative

• Judicial, Legislative, Executive

How can the legislative branch check the power of the executive branch?

• By sending gifts to the executive branch

• Through social media campaigns

• Through interpretive dance

• Through oversight, approval of appointments, budget control, and impeachment.

What is one way the executive branch can check the power of the judicial branch?

• Appointing judges to the federal courts

• Controlling the budget of the judicial branch

• Directly appointing the Chief Justice

• Vetoing Supreme Court decisions

What is the role of the judicial branch in the system of checks and balances?

• To regulate commerce, collect taxes, and maintain the military.

• To manage foreign affairs, declare war, and negotiate treaties.

• To enforce laws, create new legislation, and oversee executive actions.

• To interpret laws, settle disputes, and ensure actions are constitutional.

Which branch of government can declare executive actions unconstitutional?

• Military Branch

• Judicial Branch

• Executive Branch

• Legislative Branch

Give an example of a check the legislative branch has on the judicial branch.

• Determining the salary of judges

• Approving the budget of the judicial branch

• Confirming or rejecting judicial appointments

• Overturning a judicial decision through a popular vote

Explain how the concept of checks and balances helps prevent abuse of power.

• Checks and balances hinder the functioning of the government by creating unnecessary bureaucracy.

• Checks and balances promote abuse of power by concentrating governmental powers in one branch and limiting the powers of the others.

• Checks and balances have no impact on preventing abuse of power as they are merely symbolic gestures.

• Checks and balances prevent abuse of power by distributing governmental powers among different branches and allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.

What happens if one branch of government becomes too powerful in the system of checks and balances?

• It promotes harmony and efficiency

• It ensures a fair and just system

• It leads to better communication among branches

• It can lead to tyranny and the abuse of power.

How does the system of checks and balances contribute to the stability of a democratic government?

• The system of checks and balances destabilizes a democratic government by creating conflicts among the branches

• The system of checks and balances in a democratic government promotes corruption and inefficiency

• Checks and balances in a democratic government lead to the concentration of power in one branch

• The system of checks and balances contributes to the stability of a democratic government by preventing the abuse of power and promoting cooperation among the branches.