Which of the following best describes the checks and balances system?

The checks and balances system is a fundamental principle in the design of the U.S. government, established to maintain a balance of power among the three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The primary purpose of this system is to prevent any single branch from monopolizing power and to ensure that each branch can limit the powers of the others. This dynamic fosters cooperation and accountability, as each branch has specific mechanisms to check the actions of the others, such as veto powers, judicial review, and legislative approval of appointments.

In contrast to the selected correct answer, there are other interpretations of the system. For example, one option suggests that it allows branches to operate independently, which overlooks the essential interactions and dependencies that checks and balances create among branches. Another option posits that it ensures one branch has power over others, which mischaracterizes the intention of the system, which is to distribute power rather than centralize it. Additionally, the idea that it allows states to have more power than the federal government does not accurately reflect the intent of checks and balances, which focuses on the relationship between federal branches of government rather than federal-state dynamics.