The concept of Checks and Balances is defined as a “confrontation of powers” in the Federalist Papers. It is the cornerstone of our Republican form of government. Under this structure, each of the three branches of government can “check” the actions of the other. It is a mechanism by which the government can act against itself in the interests of the greater good.

The Executive Branch can check the Judiciary by refusing to implement or ignore a decision of the court; the Judiciary can check the Executive Branch by declaring laws or Presidential Acts unconstitutional; the legislature can check the Judiciary by refusing to provide funding for a bill or policy it doesn’t like – they can also impeach judges and ignore Amendments. The Executive Branch can check the Legislative Branch by refusing to enforce legislation, and they in turn can check the Executive Branch by over-riding his vetoes.

Publius believes that a system of checks and balances is the best way forward because “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition” as he states in his famous quote.

Federalist Paper #51 describes the safeguards created by the Constitutional Convention to maintain separate branches of government and protect the interests of the people.

The relative autonomy of each branch should help ensure against tyranny by any one faction, including from the other branches of government, according to him.