What is the purpose of the "checks and balances" system?

The purpose of the "checks and balances" system is fundamentally to prevent any one branch of government from gaining excessive power and dominating the others. This system is a core principle embedded in the U.S. Constitution and ensures that each of the three branches of government—executive, legislative, and judicial—has the ability to monitor and limit the actions of the others. By establishing this framework, the founding fathers intended to create a government that would be accountable and balanced, minimizing the risk of tyranny and ensuring that power is distributed and regulated.

This system encourages cooperation and deliberation among the branches, as both Congress, the President, and the courts need to work within the confines of their powers while being able to check and balance each other's authority. For instance, the legislative branch makes laws, but the executive can veto those laws, and the judiciary can rule them unconstitutional. This interplay fosters an environment where no single entity can operate unchecked, further solidifying the democratic foundation of the United States.