What is the primary purpose of checks and balances?

The primary purpose of checks and balances is to maintain a balance of power among the various branches of government. This system is designed to ensure that no one branch—executive, legislative, or judicial—can dominate or exercise unchecked power over the others. By providing each branch with specific authority and responsibilities, checks and balances enable them to monitor and limit one another's powers. For example, while the legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch has the authority to veto those laws, and the judicial branch can review laws for their constitutionality. This interaction promotes accountability and protects the rights of citizens by preventing any single entity from becoming too powerful.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the fundamental goal of checks and balances. Creating more laws does not address the concern of power distribution; reducing the size of government is a separate issue that can arise from different political ideologies; and eliminating political parties does not pertain to the structural safeguards designed to maintain governmental equilibrium. Thus, maintaining a balance of power is central to the concept of checks and balances in a democratic system.