Limits placed on the branches of Government by giving each the right to amend acts of the other branches. 

A system of government in which power is divided between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, and these powers check and balance each other.

The system of dividing power among the three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) to prevent any one from having too much power. Each branch has some authority to check the power of the others, thereby maintaining a balance among the three.

A principle of a system of government whereby each branch of the government can check the actions of the others. As originally conceived, this was true of the government of the USA.

A system in which different branches of government have oversight over the others, so none becomes omnipotent.

System through which the three branches of the United States government ensure the American people never become too powerful.

the powers (as judicial review, the presidential veto, and the congressional override) conferred on each of the three branches of government by which each restrains the others from exerting too ...

each branch of the government has the power to either stop or participate in actions by the other two branches.

Procedures established to reduce mistakes or unethical behavior. Ensure that no individual or department has complete decision making authority.

Checks and balances is a basic principle underlying the creation of American government. It involves the separation of powers, which assigns various powers and functions of government to separate and [..]

Checks and balances usually refer to the institutional mechanisms for preventing power abuse. Often, they are constitutional controls whereby the three branches of government (executive, legislative a [..]

A fundamental principle undergirding the design of American government is that of the separation of powers, which prescribes the parcelling out of the various powers and functions of government to sep [..]