17. Which of the following was designed to ensure that the President would not gain dictatorial powers over government?

a. the system of checks and balances
b. the Elastic Clause
c. the Electoral College
d. the Cabinet

System of checks and balances gave each branch the power to check, or stop, the others in certain ways.

Electoral College- group of electors

Cabinet- Officials that head the major departments of the executive branch.

Elastic Clause- a statement in the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 8) granting Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers.

B?

Thanks
-MC

The elastic clause was one of the several checks and balances written in the Constitution. This system is designed to keep any individual (President) or group (Congress, Supreme Court) from having too much power. Each branch of government is checked by the other two branches, thus balancing power among the three branches.

Thanks!

-MC

You're welcome.

Yes, you are correct. Option B, the Elastic Clause, was not designed to ensure that the President would not gain dictatorial powers over the government.

The Elastic Clause, also known as the Necessary and Proper Clause, grants Congress the power to pass laws that are necessary and proper to carry out the powers specifically listed in the Constitution. It does not directly limit the powers of the President, but rather grants more flexibility to Congress in legislating.

On the other hand, the system of checks and balances, which is option A, was specifically designed to prevent any one branch of government, including the President, from becoming too powerful. It divides the powers of the government among the three branches - the executive, legislative, and judicial - and grants each branch specific powers to keep the others in check.

So, option A, the system of checks and balances, is the correct answer to ensure that the President does not gain dictatorial powers over the government.