Why Checks & Balances Matter Today

Our democracy was built on the idea that no branch of government should hold all the power. Learn why restoring balance protects everyone and strengthens trust in our system.

The Founders’ Principle of Balanced Power

The framers of the Constitution understood that no single person or branch should dominate the government. They designed a system of checks and balances – giving each branch (executive, legislative, and judicial) the authority to limit the others – to prevent tyranny. In the words of one lawmaker, “The framers of our Constitution understood that checks and balances are critical to protect our democracy from autocrats and corrupt leaders.” This principle was enshrined to ensure power is shared and accountable. Each branch has distinct powers (for example, Congress makes laws, the President enforces them, and the Courts interpret them) and can check the others’ actions. This structure was meant to balance power so that government stays of, by, and for the people, not for any single leader or faction.

How Checks and Balances Protect Us All

Checks and balances aren’t just historic theory – they have real, everyday benefits. Researchers note that these safeguards prevent the unconstrained exercise of power, improve the quality of decision‑making, and ensure there are ways to penalize unethical behaviour. When multiple branches review or challenge a decision, we get better outcomes and fewer abuses. Importantly, checks and balances also make sure different voices are heard in policymaking, not just the majority’s. They “limit the power of the majority to act without regard to the views or interests of others” and guarantee that minority opinions (like opposition parties) are represented in decisions. By requiring debate, oversight, and sometimes compromise, the system protects everyone’s rights – even those in the political minority.

Key benefits of checks and balances:

• Prevent abuse of power: No official can grab total control – each branch can stop extreme or unlawful actions by another. This keeps any one person or group from abusing authority or becoming too powerful.

• Improve decision quality: Policies and laws get examined from different angles. Scrutiny by another branch can catch mistakes or bad ideas, leading to smarter, more effective decisions.

• Ensure accountability: If misconduct or corruption occurs, another branch can investigate and hold the wrongdoers accountable. This creates mechanisms to penalize unethical behaviour, like congressional oversight hearings or court trials for illegal acts.

• Represent diverse views: Checks and balances force government leaders to consider multiple perspectives. They ensure opposition and minority viewpoints can be heard in debates, rather than letting one side unilaterally dictate policy. This makes our democracy more fair and inclusive.

• Maintain trust and stability: By preventing overreach and upholding the rule of law, a balanced system reassures citizens that the government is working in everyone’s interest, not just for those in power. This helps sustain trust in our democratic institutions.

Why They Matter More Than Ever Today

In modern times, we’ve seen that checks and balances are still crucial – perhaps even more so. Public trust in the federal government has been near historic lows in recent years. Many Americans worry about government dysfunction or leaders overstepping their authority. Ensuring that no branch exceeds its limits is key to rebuilding that trust. Studies show that when people believe their institutions can hold each other accountable, trust in government is higher. If citizens see that power is balanced – that courts can strike down unlawful actions, or Congress can investigate and check the executive – they feel more confident that the system isn’t rigged.

Recent trends highlight why this balance is so important. According to a 2025 national survey, Americans overwhelmingly support the roles of the judiciary and legislature in checking the President’s power. Less than a quarter of U.S. adults – including people of both parties – think a president should be able to act without restraints by the other branches. For example:

• 66 % of Americans disagree with the idea that a president should ignore court rulings he dislikes.

• 67 % reject allowing a president to appoint judges without Senate approval.

In short, the public wants a system where the President, Congress, and Courts each have a say and can prevent each other from going too far. This consensus spans party lines – Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike believe in the essential role of checks and balances to guard against abuse.

We don’t have to look far for examples of checks and balances in action. In recent years, the Supreme Court and Congress have stepped in to maintain the constitutional balance of power. Courts have invalidated executive actions they found unlawful or beyond the President’s authority, reminding everyone that presidents cannot simply do whatever they want. For instance, in 2023 the Supreme Court struck down a major executive proposal on student loans, saying such decisions required Congress’s approval – a clear judicial check on executive power. Likewise, Congress has used oversight hearings, subpoenas, and even impeachment inquiries to investigate possible wrongdoing by executive officials, reinforcing that no one is above the law.

A famous historical example is the Watergate scandal in the 1970s: Congress and the Supreme Court forced President Nixon to hand over evidence and face accountability, ultimately leading to his resignation rather than allow him to act without restraint. This dramatic episode proved that our system can address abuses at the highest level when the branches work as intended.

Even at the state level, checks and balances have protected democracy. In June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a legal theory that would have let state legislatures run federal elections with no oversight from state courts or governors. In Moore v. Harper, the Court made it clear that state lawmakers cannot ignore their own state constitutions or judges. This decision affirmed that checks and balances apply everywhere, ensuring no single part of government (even a state legislature) can rewrite election rules unchecked. By preserving judicial review over election laws, the Court protected voters’ rights and upheld the principle that power must be shared and answerable to the law.

Restoring Balance to Strengthen Trust

While the framework of checks and balances still stands, it needs care and occasional strengthening. There have been times when one branch edged closer to overreach – for example, presidents issuing broad executive orders when Congress was gridlocked, or, conversely, Congress delegating significant powers to agencies and the executive branch. These situations remind us that balance can tilt if we’re not vigilant.

The good news is that Americans recognize the value of balance and accountability. Despite political divisions, people across the spectrum share “a desire for an accountable, effective, and ethical federal government that serves everyone.” We may debate the best ways to achieve it, but there is enduring agreement that government must answer to the people and play by the rules.

Restoring and maintaining balance today means recommitting to the rule of law and the constitutional safeguards our founders set up. It means supporting institutions that act as watchdogs – like inspectors general, independent courts, and a free press – and ensuring they remain independent and strong. It also means expecting our representatives in Congress to assert their constitutional responsibilities: to carefully oversee the executive and not abdicate their powers. When each branch operates with respect for the others’ roles, it creates the healthy tension the founders intended. This system isn’t about political point‑scoring; it’s about protecting everyone’s liberties. If one party or leader has unchecked power today, it could be used against their opponents tomorrow – so checks and balances protect all sides in the long run.

Many leaders from both parties have proposed reforms to “restore the guardrails” of our democracy by closing loopholes and reinforcing oversight powers. Such efforts aim to ensure that our institutions remain fair, transparent, and worthy of the public’s trust.

Ultimately, revitalizing checks and balances is a hopeful project. It’s about reinforcing the idea that our government works for us, not the other way around. When the branches of government hold each other accountable, the American people benefit from policies that are more balanced and just. We also feel more confident that our rights won’t be trampled in a power grab. A well‑balanced system leads to a government that people can believe in – one that deserves our trust. As one civic advocate noted, “This is our moment to build a government truly worthy of public trust, reflecting the shared vision of the American people.” By insisting on accountability and equal branches of power, we strengthen that trust.

Conclusion

Our democracy’s strength comes from its ability to balance power with accountability. The checks and balances put in place centuries ago are not dusty relics – they are a living mechanism that protects our freedoms every day. They ensure that no matter how times change, no matter which individuals hold office, the fundamental principle remains: no branch rules unchecked. In an era of fast‑changing events and intense partisanship, this principle is a stabilizing force that benefits all Americans. It reassures us that our rights and interests won’t be overridden by a runaway executive, a tyrannical majority in Congress, or an unrestrained court. Instead, each can be checked by the others, keeping the whole system honest.

By renewing our commitment to checks and balances, we can help restore faith in our institutions. It creates a government that is both effective and constrained – capable of action, yet always under oversight. That balance is what gives our Constitution its resilience. It protected us in the past, and if we uphold it, it will protect our future. Restoring balance protects everyone and is key to strengthening trust in our democratic system – ensuring that American government remains, as Lincoln said, “of the people, by the people, for the people,” for generations to come.

Sources

• Pew Research Center – Public Trust in Government: 1958‑2024

• Annenberg Public Policy Center – Most Americans Support Checks on Presidential Power (Apr 2025)

• OECD – Trust in Government: People rely on checks and balances (2024 report)

• The Constitution Unit – Checks and balances: what are they, and why do they matter?

• New Jersey State Bar Foundation – Maintaining Checks & Balances in Moore v. Harper

• Bill of Rights Institute – Case Study: Watergate (Checks and Balances)

• POGO (Project On Government Oversight) – Reclaiming Democracy: How to Build a Government That Deserves Our Trust

• U.S. House Press Release – Protecting Our Democracy Act (quotes on founding principles and reforms)