The System of Checks and Balances

     The system of checks and balances were proposed by James Madison during the Constitutional Convention in 1787.  It was proposed to make sure that no branch of the government gains too much power or becomes too powerful.  Its purpose is to keep balance among the branches of the government.  It was structured so that every branch could check and balance the operations and power of another branch.  Every branch has only a limited amount of checks and balances they can do with it split up between the three branches.

     The legislative branch has the power to impeach officials from either the executive or judicial branch; they also can approve judges that the executive branch hires.  The executive branch can appoint judges, and can veto bills presented from the legislative branch.  The judicial branch can judge the executive actions to be unconstitutional, and the legislative laws of being unconstitutional.  For example, the executive branch can appoint a judge and the legislative branch can check on this decision and decide to approve or disapprove him or her.  Another example is the legislative branch can make a bill, but the executive branch can veto the bill.  But the legislative branch can override the veto by getting a certain amount of votes, and then the judicial branch can say that the law is unconstitutional.

     In conclusion the system of checks and balances is made to prevent any branch from gaining too much power, and has been working well for many years.