How the Supreme Court Checks Power: Judicial Review

CrashCourse

This episode of Crash Course Government and Politics explores the concept of Judicial Review, the primary power of the United States Supreme Court to check the other branches of government. Host Craig Benzine explains that while this power allows the Court to declare laws and actions unconstitutional, it is not explicitly granted in the Constitution. The video details the four main areas where federal courts exercise this review: congressional laws, state actions, federal bureaucratic agencies, and presidential actions. The content dives deep into the historical origins of this power through the landmark case Marbury v. Madison. Utilizing animations, the video illustrates the political genius of Chief Justice John Marshall, who established the Court's authority to strike down laws while seemingly limiting its own power. The narrative then shifts to why these rulings endure, introducing the legal principle of stare decisis (precedent) and how appellate decisions effectively become law for lower courts. For educators, this video is an invaluable tool for teaching Civics, U.S. Government, and History. It clarifies complex legal terminology like appellate jurisdiction and the Supremacy Clause while providing concrete examples such as Brown v. Board of Education and Miranda v. Arizona. It serves as an excellent primer for discussions on separation of powers, the evolution of the judiciary, and the tension between unelected judges and democratic representation.