A System of Checks and Balances Ensure - Article Example

A system of check and balances ensure that each branch has the authority to decide on specific issues. However, each chapter often requires cooperation from other departments if the decisions are to be implemented successfully (Wood). However, in the absence of these checks and balances, there would be a potential abuse of power from these arms of the government that would result in an authoritarian regime. Firstly, if the legislature could create any law it desired, however malicious it may be, no one would oppose it. This could lead to exploitation and infringement of the rights of American citizens, who would be defenceless against such unconstitutional laws.

Checks and balances are vital in providing oversight over the executive's actions. Without these checks and balances, the executive might abuse its powers by appointing incompetent, unqualified or corrupt people into public office to serve their selfish interests. However, if checks and balances exist, the senate would reject such appointments to ensure integrity in the system. Furthermore, the courts can Judge the executive's actions to be unconstitutional through the power of judicial review.

In addition, the absence of checks and balances would lead to the rise of ambitious and unscrupulous officeholders in some of these branches of government with the sole purpose of encroaching upon the powers and authority of other components, leading to a tyrannical concentration of forces (Wood). In conclusion, checks and balances and separation of powers in the American government ensure accountability, which translates into a policy-making process that thoughtfully considers the interests of the minority and those of the majority. However, this system is not flawless as, at times, it has been criticized for stalemate, gridlock and inefficiency. This system, though, has been effective in preventing the rise of dictatorships and the rise of authoritarian regimes since its inception by the drafters.