Checks and balances are about the concentration of power, it's not just an American thing. The separation of powers is a closely related concept. Never said th

Checks and balances are about the concentration of power, it's not just an American thing. The separation of powers is a closely related concept. Never said that the United States was a democracy, although it is both a democracy and a republic, although the difference between these is specific to the country due to a historic compromise. As far as the state of that democracy goes the United States is considered a flawed democracy. I think that's generous considering how much influence billionaire oligarchs wield in the country, how large inequality is, and given the lack of educated, well-informed citizenry with the media being controlled by said oligarchs and education is being held back for political purposes, so that the people are easier to control.