What is the purpose of the Separation of Powers & Checks and Balances the constitution?

Question

What is the purpose of the Separation of Powers & Checks and Balances the constitution?

Homework Question.

Answer 1

To make sure not one branch of the government could over power the others or to make sure the federal government would not infringe upon the States.

Answer 2

When you give one person/office all the power, there is nothing to keep that person/office from behaving in a corrupt fashion if they so choose.

By seperating out power into 3 branches of government (President, Congress, and the Supreme Court), the people are better protected from tyrinical behavior.

All three branches of government are equal, so one cannot trump another one.

Congress can create laws into being, but needs the president to sign them to make them work. A greater majority can override a presidential veto.

The president can sign laws into being or veto them, but cannot create them. He can only suggest them.

The Supreme Court can invalidate laws, but cannot create them.

Without these checks and balances, the president would effectively become a dictator that can run the country as they please. The founders of our nation were seeking to escape just such a form of government when they wrote the Constitution.

Answer 3

The purpose of the Separation of Powers was to prevent any one branch from becoming dictatorial. Each branch was supposed to watch the others, and make sure that they didn't usurp their powers. This concept has been eroded. Congress no longer bothers to declare war, but goes along with whatever the president does. Congress finances his adventures, but is unwilling to commit themselves. On top of that, Congress has given the Executive extraordinary powers. These powers say that the Executive Branch can spy on us without warrant (violation of the Fourth Amendment), label someone a spy, and hold them without charge, deprive them of a lawyer, and even torture them (violation of the Fifth Amendment). Congress has allowed bizarre Supreme Court rulings to go unchallenged (even though the Constitution gives the Congress the power to limit the Court's jurisdiction). Ultimately, the breakdown of the Separation of Powers is the fault of the American people. They have allowed this to happen. They have only themselves to blame.

Answer 4

Well. I think the original idea was that each branch of government was to be separate and equal and therefore each keeping the other honest... That has long since gone by the by... The office of the president has taken on way too much power..When you have a president, who is at best a moron.. declaring that he.. and only he is the decider.. well.. you are in big trouble. Congress is now making a few rumbling noises.. but what they need to do is slap him down.. just as he should do the same if they get to thinking that they are the only ones making decisions. What they all need to remember is that is is the people of this country who should be listened too... But our politicians have long forgotten the people.. oh yeah.. they remember us near election time.. but that's about it.

Answer 5

the purpose is to not give too much power to one branch of the government. With the power separated, our liberties are better protected.

Answer 6

To Keep the President from overstepping his powers. Hasn't worked yet has it?

Answer 7

They are our first line of defense against Tyranny.