Final answer:
The legislative, executive, and judicial branches work together to create public policy through a system of checks and balances, with each branch having a distinct role in the process and the capacity to limit the powers of the others.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three branches of the U.S. government work together to create public policy by utilizing their unique functions but also by following a system of checks and balances. The legislative branch, consisting of Congress, creates laws and must have both chambers, the Senate and the House of Representatives, agree on a bill for it to pass. The executive branch, led by the President, implements and executes laws and can also influence policy through regulations and administration. The judicial branch interprets laws and has the power to influence policy through its rulings on specific cases. Public opinion can impact the decisions made by these branches, but it varies on how each branch responds to such opinions, and whether they act on public polls is not definitively proven.
When it comes to enacting legislation, for example, the President can veto a bill from Congress, which is a check on legislative power. Congress can override this veto with a two-thirds majority vote, which is a legislative check on the executive. Additionally, the Supreme Court can rule on the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress and actions taken by the President, which serves as a judicial check on both legislative and executive actions.