Government Questions and Answers

With checks and balances, each of the three branches of government can limit the powers of the others. This way, no one branch becomes too powerful. Each branch “checks” the power of the other branches to make sure that the power is balanced between them.

Separation of powers refers to the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another. The intent is to prevent the concentration of power and provide for checks and balances.

It is prevalent in a presidential system of government to ensure one organ of government doesn't poach on the other while they all act as agents of checks and balances

The term "diplomatic immunity" refers to a principle of international law that limits the degree to which foreign government and international organization officials and employees are subject to the authority of police officers and judges in their country of assignment. It is a major limitation to the principle of rule of law

Equality before the law is the principle that each independent being must be treated equally by the law and that all are subject to the same laws of justice. It is a componest of the principle of rule of law

John Locke wrote that freedom in society means being subject only to laws made by a legislature that apply to everyone, with a person being otherwise free from both governmental and private restrictions upon liberty. "The rule of law" was further popularized in the 19th century by British jurist A. V. Dicey.