What does the phrase "checks and balances" mean in the context of the U.S. government?

The phrase "checks and balances" in the context of the U.S. government refers to the system designed to ensure that no single branch of government—executive, legislative, or judicial—gains too much power. The founding fathers implemented this system in the Constitution to prevent tyranny and protect individual liberties. Each branch has specific powers and responsibilities, along with the ability to monitor and limit the actions of the others. For example, the legislative branch can create laws, but the executive can veto them, while the judicial branch can interpret those laws and declare them unconstitutional if they do not align with the Constitution. This structure fosters a balance of power and encourages collaboration and accountability among the branches, thereby safeguarding democracy.

In contrast, government transparency pertains to openness and accountability in the government operations, agency oversight by the public refers to citizen engagement in monitoring government actions, and limited government funding addresses financial constraints rather than the distribution of power among branches. Each of these concepts plays a role in governance but does not encompass the specific interaction and power dynamics that "checks and balances" describes.