What principle allows the Supreme Court to determine the constitutionality of laws?

The principle that allows the Supreme Court to determine the constitutionality of laws is known as judicial review. This principle enables the judiciary to evaluate the actions of the legislative and executive branches to ensure that they comply with the Constitution. Established in the landmark case Marbury v. Madison in 1803, judicial review empowers the courts to invalidate laws and executive actions that are found to be in conflict with the nation's founding document.

Understanding this principle highlights the role of the judiciary as a guardian of the Constitution, which is essential in maintaining the rule of law. It ensures that all legislation and actions taken by government officials are subject to constitutional scrutiny, preserving individual rights and maintaining checks and balances between the branches of government.

Other concepts, such as separation of powers, federalism, and direct democracy, serve different functions within the framework of governance but do not specifically confer the authority to review laws for their constitutionality. Separation of powers refers to the distribution of government responsibilities among different branches to limit any one branch's power. Federalism is the system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units. Direct democracy is a form of governance where citizens directly participate in decision-making rather than through elected representatives. None of these principles provide the judiciary with