What is the purpose of checks and balances?

The purpose of checks and balances is fundamentally about maintaining a distribution of power among the three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. This system is designed to prevent any one branch from gaining excessive power, which can lead to tyranny or abuse of authority. Each branch has specific powers that can limit or check the actions of the others. For example, while the legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch can veto them, and the judicial branch has the authority to interpret laws and declare them unconstitutional if they overstep bounds. This interdependence fosters accountability and ensures that decisions are made with input and scrutiny from multiple perspectives within the government, safeguarding democratic principles and individual liberties.

The other choices represent aspects of governance that do not align with the core function of checks and balances. Swift decision-making is not the focus of this system, as it may lead to unchecked power. While timely elections are essential for democracy, they are not part of checks and balances. Lastly, the maintenance of presidential authority runs counter to the checks and balances framework, which seeks to limit any single authority's power, including that of the president.