Separation of PowersSeparation of PowersChecks and BalancesChecks and Balances

How do these How do these principles of principles of

democracy protect democracy protect the people?the people?

Separation of Separation of PowersPowers

•Dividing different powers Dividing different powers among three branches of among three branches of governmentgovernment

•Prevents one branch from Prevents one branch from gaining too much powergaining too much power

•Legislative, Judicial, and Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches have their Executive branches have their own unique powersown unique powers

AnalysisAnalysis•Why is it important to Why is it important to separate the powers separate the powers of the government? of the government? Think about the other Think about the other principles of principles of democracy…democracy…

Checks and Checks and BalancesBalances•Powers each branch has that Powers each branch has that

allows them to check up on the allows them to check up on the other branchesother branches

•Prevents branches from abusing Prevents branches from abusing their powerstheir powers

•Preserves the separation of Preserves the separation of powerspowers

•Requires cooperation between Requires cooperation between the branches of governmentthe branches of government

Legislative BranchLegislative Branch(House and Senate)(House and Senate)

•Can override a presidential vetoCan override a presidential veto

•Can impeach and remove the Can impeach and remove the presidentpresident

•Ratifies presidential appointmentsRatifies presidential appointments

•Authorizes/appropriates funds for Authorizes/appropriates funds for legislationlegislation

•Checks on the judiciaryChecks on the judiciary

•Can impeach and remove judgesCan impeach and remove judges

•Confirms federal judgesConfirms federal judges

Executive BranchExecutive Branch(President and Cabinet)(President and Cabinet)

•Proposes legislation (laws)Proposes legislation (laws)

•Vetoes legislation (laws)Vetoes legislation (laws)

•Makes treaties w/ foreign Makes treaties w/ foreign countriescountries

•Checks on the judiciaryChecks on the judiciary

•Appoints federal judgesAppoints federal judges

•Enforces court decisionsEnforces court decisions

Judicial BranchJudicial Branch(Supreme Court and Lower (Supreme Court and Lower

Courts)Courts)•Reviews executive decisionsReviews executive decisions

•Checks on CongressChecks on Congress

•Reviews congressional laws Reviews congressional laws

•Judicial Review (executive and Judicial Review (executive and legislative)legislative)

•Supreme Court Justices Supreme Court Justices appointed for lifeappointed for life

AnalysisAnalysis•What are some problems with the What are some problems with the

checks and balances system?checks and balances system?

•The Constitution is vague in some The Constitution is vague in some parts of these powers. How can this parts of these powers. How can this cause a problem for each branch?cause a problem for each branch?

•How does this system promote How does this system promote cooperation between the branches of cooperation between the branches of government?government?

•Which branch has the most power? Which branch has the most power? Why?Why?