Marbury v. Madison firmly established that the Supreme Court of the United States has the power to determine the constitutionality and validity of the acts of the other two branches of government. This concept is a fundamental characteristic of American government. But this was not always the case. The Marbury v. Madison case in 1803, struck down an act of Congress as unconstitutional. This decision created the doctrine of judicial review and set up the Supreme Court of the United States as chief interpreter of the Constitution. On one hand, the concept of judicial review, is said to have reinforced the system of checks and balances. On the other hand, it gave additional powers to the federal courts to oversee and, to some extent, control the actions of the other two branches. As a result of this ruling, the Judicial branch has the ability to rule on the constitutionality of the actions of Congress and the President. Do you think the Supreme Court's ruling truly balanced the system of checks and balances? Why or why not?

Marbury v. Madison firmly established that the Supreme Court of the United States has the power to determine the constitutionality and validity of the acts of the other two branches of government. This concept is a fundamental characteristic of American government. But this was not always the case. The Marbury v. Madison case in 1803, struck down an act of Congress as unconstitutional. This decision created the doctrine of judicial review and set up the Supreme Court of the United States as chief interpreter of the Constitution. On one hand, the concept of judicial review, is said to have reinforced the system of checks and balances. On the other hand, it gave additional powers to the federal courts to oversee and, to some extent, control the actions of the other two branches. As a result of this ruling, the Judicial branch has the ability to rule on the constitutionality of the actions of Congress and the President. Do you think the Supreme Court's ruling truly balanced the system of checks and balances? Why or why not?