Final answer:
Giving each branch of government control over the others is known as the system of checks and balances. It ensures that no single branch of the U.S. government becomes too powerful by allowing them to limit each other's powers and requiring them to cooperate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Giving each branch of government a way to exercise some control over the other branches is called checks and balances. This system is a fundamental principle of the United States government, designed to prevent any single branch from accumulating too much power. The legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch implements and enforces laws, and the judicial branch interprets and applies the law through judicial review. Each of these branches has unique powers that can impact the actions of the other branches, ensuring a balance of power and cooperation.
For example, the legislative branch, or Congress, has the power to pass legislation, but the President (executive branch) has the power to veto this legislation. However, Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote in both houses. Meanwhile, the judicial branch has the authority to interpret laws and, through judicial review, can declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional, effectively annulling them.
In this balanced system, certain types of authority, such as the authority to raise taxes or declare war, are strictly reserved for one branch, while other powers are shared or exist to challenge the actions of another branch. This setup ensures that policy making necessitates agreement between branches and prevents unilateral actions, though it can sometimes lead to political gridlock.