checks and balances
/tʃɛks ænd ˈbælənsɪz/ · checks and bal·an·ces
noun
- A system of government in which power is divided among separate branches, such as the legislative, executive, and judicial, to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. The system of checks and balances in the US Constitution ensures that no one branch of government has absolute power.
- A mechanism or process that prevents or limits the abuse of power or authority. The company's checks and balances system helped to prevent financial mismanagement and ensured transparency in its operations.
- A person or thing that ensures a system or process remains safe, honest, or fair. The auditor served as a check and balance on the company's financial reporting, ensuring accuracy and transparency.
verb
- To provide mutual oversight and limitation by independent organizations in order to prevent abuses of power. The government checks and balances the power of the corporations to prevent them from dominating the economy.
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Did you know? The concept of checks and balances was first proposed by James Madison in the Federalist Papers, and it has since become a cornerstone of democratic governance in many countries.
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