Florida Civic Literacy Practice Exam

What is the purpose of checks and balances in the U.S. government?

1. To enhance government efficiency

2. To ensure no single branch becomes too powerful

3. To promote government secrecy

4. To facilitate smooth transitions of power

The correct answer is: To ensure no single branch becomes too powerful

The purpose of checks and balances in the U.S. government is fundamentally to ensure that no single branch becomes too powerful. This system is integral to the structure of American governance, intended to maintain a balance of power among the three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. Each branch has specific powers and responsibilities, and also the ability to limit the powers of the others. For instance, the legislative branch can create laws, but the executive branch has the power to veto those laws, while the judiciary can interpret the constitutionality of laws and executive actions. This interdependence means that actions taken by one branch can be checked by the others, thereby preventing any one branch from exercising excessive power or authority. This principle is rooted in the philosophy of political theorists such as Montesquieu, who advocated for the separation of powers to avoid tyranny. In contrast, enhancing government efficiency would imply streamlining processes without the necessary oversight that checks and balances provide, potentially leading to an imbalance of power. Promoting government secrecy runs counter to the democratic value of transparency, while facilitating smooth transitions of power is an important aspect of governance but does not specifically relate to the checks and balances system, which is focused on regulating power rather than transitions.