Final answer:
The Watergate scandal is seen as a success of checks and balances due to the key roles played by the media, Congress, and judiciary. The media uncovered the scandal, while Congress and the judiciary pushed the investigation forward, indicating the system worked in holding President Nixon accountable, which ultimately led to his resignation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Watergate scandal is considered as a success of Checks and Balances within the US government system due to the role played by the media, Congress, and the judiciary in revealing and addressing the scandal. The media, especially Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, played a vital role in uncovering the wrongdoing, representing the press' role as the 'fourth estate' or watchdog role in the government. This illustrated the effectiveness of a protected press in revealing government misconduct. Similarly, the Congress and judiciary also played crucial roles. The Senate appointed the Watergate Committee to investigate the alleged wrongdoings which ended up revealing President Nixon’s involvement as well. The Supreme Court additionally had its part by ordering Nixon to release actual tapes of his conversations related to the case. This illustrates the checks and balances between the branches of government, as well as freedom of the press. Finally, the Watergate scandal ultimately led to President Nixon's resignation, showcasing the effectiveness of these checks and balances in managing misconduct, even at the highest level of government.
Learn more about Watergate scandal