Bar Exam Practice Questions 2025 - Free Bar Exam Practice Questions and Study Guide

The mechanism that protects against the overreach of governmental powers is rooted in the principle of checks and balances. This system is designed to ensure that no single branch of government—executive, legislative, or judicial—exercises unchecked power or authority. Each branch has its own distinct functions and powers, and they can limit or check the actions of the others, creating a balance that protects individual liberties and prevents tyranny.

For example, the legislative branch makes laws, but the executive branch has the power to veto these laws. In turn, the judicial branch has the authority to interpret laws and can rule legislation unconstitutional if it oversteps constitutional boundaries. This interplay among branches is critical in maintaining a government that operates within its constitutional limits and upholds the rule of law.

While judicial review is also an essential function in limiting government power, it is part of the broader system of checks and balances rather than a standalone mechanism. Public voting and amendment proposals serve important democratic functions but do not directly establish a framework for limiting governmental overreach in the same comprehensive manner as checks and balances do. Overall, checks and balances ensure that power is distributed and that each branch holds some measure of power over the others, fostering accountability and protecting citizens from potential abuses of power.