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0000017a-15d9-d736-a57f-17ff8fcf0001Listen & subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher Note: we are no longer posting Civics 101 episodes to this site. Click here to visit the website for the podcast.Why does the U.S. have an Electoral College? How do congressional investigations work? What does the minority whip actually do? Civics 101 is the podcast refresher course on the basics of how our government works.Civics 101 is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting_

Episode 34: Separation of Powers

In this episode we untangle two terms that are closely related, but not the same: Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances. The framers envisioned a government structure that would consist of three separate branches, each with their own power, in order to avoid having one person or one branch from having full control of the country. University of Minnesota Law Professor Heidi Kitrosser joins us to explain how the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches are separated and once separated, how they ensure those powers are kept in check.

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