Every branch has real tools to limit the other two - the veto, impeachment, judicial review, and why Hamilton argued the friction was the entire point.
Legislative, executive, and judicial power were split deliberately, drawing on Montesquieu's theory of liberty - and why separation of powers and checks and balances are related but distinct ideas.
Republic means representatives, not direct votes. Federal means power divided between national and state governments. Why both words matter for understanding the Electoral College and the Senate.
The textbook version of three branches and checks and balances is accurate but incomplete - where the real day-to-day work of governing actually happens.
