Question 93

The United States Supreme Court’s authority to exercise judicial review is an example of checks and balances.

The principle of checks and balances ensures that no branch of government becomes too powerful, allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others. Judicial review exemplifies this by enabling the Supreme Court to evaluate the constitutionality of laws and actions, thereby maintaining a balance among the legislative and executive branches.

A) separation of powers

Separation of powers refers to the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. While this principle is related to the functioning of the Supreme Court, it does not specifically address the mechanism through which the Court checks the powers of the other branches, which is the essence of judicial review.

B) checks and balances

Checks and balances are designed to prevent any one branch from overpowering the others, and judicial review is a critical tool in this system. By allowing the Supreme Court to assess the legality of legislative and executive actions, it reinforces the accountability of those branches and ensures adherence to the Constitution.

C) federalism

Federalism describes the division of power between national and state governments. While it is an essential aspect of the U.S. political system, it does not pertain directly to the Supreme Court's authority to conduct judicial review, which operates within the context of the federal government’s structure.

D) popular sovereignty

Popular sovereignty is the principle that the authority of government is created and sustained by the consent of its people. This concept does not relate to the functions of the Supreme Court in exercising judicial review, which focuses on constitutional interpretation rather than the source of governmental power.

E) enumerated powers

Enumerated powers refer to the specific powers granted to the federal government by the Constitution. While the Supreme Court's authority to conduct judicial review can be derived from constitutional interpretation, the term "enumerated powers" does not encapsulate the broader concept of checks and balances that judicial review exemplifies.

Conclusion

Judicial review serves as a fundamental mechanism of checks and balances within the U.S. government, ensuring that legislative and executive actions remain within constitutional boundaries. The other options, while relevant to different aspects of governance, do not specifically illustrate the function and importance of judicial review as effectively as checks and balances do. Thus, the correct answer is clearly B.