Federalist No. 51 is one of the essays written by James Madison, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, that explains the need for a system of checks and balances in government to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Related terms
Separation of Powers: The concept that divides governmental powers among different branches (such as executive, legislative, and judicial) so that not one branch has complete control over decision-making.
Checks and Balances: A system in which each branch of government can limit the powers of other branches to prevent any single branch from becoming too powerful.
Limited Government: A principle that restricts the power and scope of government to protect individual rights and prevent abuses of authority.