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How would keeping the power of the branches of government help in the "preservation of liberty," according to Madison?

A) By preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful and potentially tyrannical.
B) By ensuring a system of checks and balances, where each branch can limit the powers of the others.
C) By promoting accountability and transparency within the government.
D) By allowing for the separation of powers, which prevents the concentration of authority in one entity.
E) All of the above.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

According to James Madison, keeping the power of the branches of government helps in the 'preservation of liberty' ``By preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful and potentially tyrannical, By ensuring a system of checks and balances, where each branch can limit the powers of the others, By promoting accountability and transparency within the government and By allowing for the separation of powers, which prevents the concentration of authority in one entity.``

Therefore, the correct answer is option E: All of the above.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Madison, keeping the power of the branches of government helps in the "preservation of liberty" through several mechanisms.

Firstly, it helps prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful and potentially tyrannical. By distributing power among multiple branches, such as the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, there are checks and balances in place to ensure that no single branch can dominate or abuse its authority. This ensures that individual liberties are protected and that no one branch can infringe upon the rights of citizens.

Secondly, it ensures a system of checks and balances, where each branch can limit the powers of the others. For example, the legislative branch can pass laws, but the executive branch can veto them. The judicial branch, in turn, can interpret and apply the laws, ensuring that they are consistent with the Constitution. This system of checks and balances helps prevent any one branch from becoming too dominant or overstepping its boundaries, thereby safeguarding individual liberties.

Furthermore, by promoting accountability and transparency within the government, the power of the branches helps in the preservation of liberty. The separation of powers allows for a clear division of responsibilities, making it easier to hold each branch accountable for its actions. This transparency ensures that government actions are subject to scrutiny and prevents the concentration of authority in one entity, which could potentially lead to the abuse of power.

Therefore, the correct answer is option E: All of the above.

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