Question

What is the difference between "separation of powers" and "checks and balances"?

Answer 1

@Battleheroes01 can you help

Answer 2

well balances have to do with money and separation of powers has something with separating from britain

Answer 3

can you explain it a little more please

Answer 4

srry i cant

Answer 5

okay then

Answer 6

@Schimcek

Answer 7

can you help please

Answer 8

@DollyAcquah can you please help

Answer 9

@Nateyboo

Answer 10

please

Answer 11

Hm?

Answer 12

I think ...

They somewhat overlap, but the 'Checks and Balances' doctrine refers to the ability of one branch to curtail the acts of another. For example: the legislative branch has the power to make laws, but the judicial branch has the power to strike them down if the legislative branch oversteps their bounds (if law is unconstitutional).

The 'Separation of Powers' doctrine refers more to the fact that the individual branches have specific powers which only those branches possess. For example, going back to the legislative/judicial branches, the judical branch can't enact laws (this gets more complicated with the 'common law' ... but we're talking in general) because that power is reserved for the legislative branch. Likewise, the legislative branch (technically) can't deal with foreign policy or enforce laws because that power is reserved for the executive branch.

Another example of the Separation of Powers docrine in play is the 'political question' doctrine that courts (judicial branch) sometimes apply when they are ruling on cases. Under that doctrine the courts will not rule on a case where they think that the ruling will interfere with a power that is reserved in another branch - ex. president's power dealing with respect to foreign policy.

[This all gets much merkier and more complicated, because in practice the powers do overlap. More than that, certain branches have powers over things you would think would be reserved for another (ex. the legislative branch has some powers over federal courts which you would think are part of the judicial branch)].

Answer 13

And a medal to you, good sir. Great description.

Answer 14

thanks yall

Answer 15

Anytime.