By: Justin Cozzone
THE SEPARATION OF POWERS/
THE SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND
BALANCES
What is this System?
 Definition: The term separation of powers means that the three
branches of government -Legislative, Judicial and Executive – each
have powers that can prevent one the other branches from
becoming too powerful.
 Simple Definition: Separation of powers basically means that the
three branches of the U.S government can prevent another
branches’ action.
 How this Affects YOU: This affects you because if one branch
became too powerful, they would always get their way. This would
turn the country into a dictatorship, and since most dictators don’t
care about anyone but them, the country would become
dilapidated.
Powers of the Executive Branch
 The executive branch has these ‘checks’ over the legislative branch:
 The president has the veto power (can cancel laws)
 The president has the ability to call special sessions of the Congress.
 The president can recommend legislation and talk to the people
concerning legislation.
 The executive branch has this ‘check’ over the judicial branch:
 The president appoints the supreme court and federal judges.
Powers of the Legislative
Branch
 The legislative branch has the following ‘checks’ over the executive
branch:
 They may override vetoes with a two-thirds vote.
 They have the power to fund any executive actions.
 They may impeach the president.
 They approve treaties.
 They approve appointments.
 The legislative branch has the following ‘checks’ over the judicial
branch:
 They create lower courts.
 They may impeach judges.
 They approve appointments.
Powers of the Judicial
Branch
 The judicial branch has the following ‘checks’ over the executive
branch:
 Judges appointed for life are free from being controlled by the
executive branch.
 Courts can judge executive actions to be unconstitutional.
 The judicial branch has the following ‘check’ over the legislative
branch:
 Courts can judge legislative acts as unconstitutional.
Unfortunately,…
 While separation of powers is key to the
workings of our government, no government
(including ours) exists with an absolute
separation of powers.