Final answer:
The three branches of the U.S. Government—legislative, executive, and judicial—protect society by maintaining a balance of power through checks and balances and separation of powers, with the media serving as an informal fourth branch.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three branches of the U.S. Government work together to protect society by ensuring a balance of power through checks and balances and separation of powers. Each branch has specific roles: the Legislative branch makes the laws, the Executive branch implements and enforces the laws, and the Judicial branch interprets the laws. This structure prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful and ensures that the government operates in the best interest of its citizens.
Through checks and balances, such as the requirement that both the Senate and the House of Representatives must agree to a bill for it to become law, and the judicial power to uphold or overturn these laws, each branch can exert influence over the other. This interdependence serves as a safeguard against tyranny and protects individual liberties and societal order.
In addition to the three formal branches, the media often serves as an informal fourth branch, monitoring and reporting on government activities to the public, which adds another layer of accountability.