The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the Reed v Reed (1971) case that an Idaho law violated the Equal Protection clause of the 14th Amendment because it discriminated against women. Which principle of the U.S. Constitution applies to this situation?
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1 point
Separation of power
Federalism
Judicial review
Popular sovereignty
The principle of the U.S. Constitution that applies to the situation described in the question is judicial review.
To explain how to arrive at this answer, let's first understand what the principles mentioned mean:
1. Separation of Power: This principle refers to the division of government powers among different branches - legislative, executive, and judicial - to prevent the concentration of power in one entity.
2. Federalism: Federalism refers to the division of powers between the national government and state governments. It establishes a system of shared powers and dual sovereignty.
3. Judicial Review: Judicial review is the power of the courts, particularly the Supreme Court, to review and determine the constitutionality of laws and government actions. It allows the judiciary to strike down laws or actions that violate the Constitution.
4. Popular Sovereignty: Popular sovereignty refers to the idea that the authority of the government is derived from the consent of the governed, meaning that the people have ultimate power and control over the government.
In the case mentioned, Reed v Reed (1971), the Supreme Court ruled that an Idaho law violated the Equal Protection clause of the 14th Amendment because it discriminated against women. This ruling demonstrates the application of the principle of judicial review. The Supreme Court, as the highest court in the land, reviewed the law in question and determined that it was unconstitutional.
Therefore, the correct answer is Judicial review.