Louisiana Private Investigator Licensing Practice Exam

What principle allows each branch of government to counterbalance the actions of others?

1. Separation of Powers

2. Checks and Balances

3. Federalism

4. Judicial Review

The correct answer is: Checks and Balances

The principle that allows each branch of government to counterbalance the actions of others is known as Checks and Balances. This system is designed to ensure that no single branch—executive, legislative, or judicial—can dominate the others, thereby maintaining a balance of power within the government. Each branch has specific powers that can affect the operation of the other branches, which promotes accountability and prevents abuse of power. For instance, the legislative branch can create laws, but the executive branch has the power to veto those laws. Meanwhile, the judicial branch has the authority to interpret laws and assess their constitutionality. This interplay ensures that each branch can monitor and influence the actions of the others, fostering a democratic system of governance that preserves individual liberties and checks government authority. The other concepts, while related to governmental structure and function, do not specifically address the system designed to prevent any one branch from gaining excessive power. Separation of Powers refers to the distinct division of responsibilities among branches, Federalism pertains to the division of power between national and state governments, and Judicial Review involves the courts' ability to invalidate laws that violate the Constitution, but it does not encompass the broader system of counterbalancing authority among branches.