After examining Rousseau's and Montesquieu’s thoughts on government, determine which statement best illustrates the idea of checks and balances of power.(1 point)

Responses

The Supreme Court has the power to override a veto.
The Supreme Court has the power to override a veto.

The president has the power to rule on the constitutionality of a law.
The president has the power to rule on the constitutionality of a law.

Congress must approve presidential appointments.
Congress must approve presidential appointments.

The people in society give up some individual freedoms.

The Supreme Court has the power to override a veto.

The statement that best illustrates the idea of checks and balances of power is: Congress must approve presidential appointments. This statement suggests that there is a system in place where one branch of government (Congress) has the power to check the actions of another branch (the President) by scrutinizing and approving presidential appointments.

To determine which statement best illustrates the idea of checks and balances of power, we need to consider the ideas of Rousseau and Montesquieu and how they relate to the concept.

Rousseau believed in a form of direct democracy, where the power resides with the people as a whole. He advocated for a government where the general will of the people is the ultimate authority. This means that there is no separation of powers or checks and balances in Rousseau's ideal government.

On the other hand, Montesquieu advocated for a separation of powers in government. He believed that the three branches of government - executive, legislative, and judicial - should have separate powers and a system of checks and balances to prevent any branch from becoming too powerful.

Based on Montesquieu's ideas, the statement that best illustrates the idea of checks and balances of power is: "Congress must approve presidential appointments." This statement reflects the principle of checks and balances, as it demonstrates that the legislative branch (Congress) has the power to check and balance the executive branch (president) by approving or rejecting their appointments. This ensures that the president does not have unchecked authority in making appointments and encourages a system of shared power and accountability.

Therefore, the correct response is:
Congress must approve presidential appointments.