Compare and contrast seperation of powers and check and balances.?

Question

What is the rational behind having both concepts intermeshed?

Answer 1

Checks and balances are a product of the separation of powers, and the reason for separating them in the first place.

Here's an article on Separation of Powers at the U of Chicago:
http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/v1ch10I.html

You'll find some form of the word "check" used 4 times and "balance" used 6 times. Hope that helps.