What is the system of checks and balances?

The system of checks and balances is designed to maintain the balance of power among the three branches of the U.S. government: the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Each branch has its own distinct powers and responsibilities, and the system ensures that these branches can monitor and limit each other to prevent any one branch from gaining excessive power.

For example, the legislative branch has the power to make laws, but the executive branch has the authority to veto legislation. Meanwhile, the judicial branch has the ability to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional. This interplay helps to provide a safeguard against tyranny and abuse of power, which is fundamental to the principles of democracy and rule of law in the United States.

The other options describe concepts that do not accurately reflect the purpose of checks and balances. Direct democracy relates to a system where citizens vote directly on laws or policies, which isn't the mechanism at play here. Ensuring that one branch exceeds its powers is contrary to the idea of checks and balances, which is explicitly meant to limit power. Lastly, requiring unanimous consent for laws does not connect to the checks and balances system, which operates within a framework of separated powers rather than a requirement for total agreement among all branches.