Judicial review in a democratic environment is an aspect of

1. Analyze the question The question asks which broader concept judicial review belongs to in a democracy.

2. Explain the concept Judicial review is the power of the courts to examine laws passed by the legislature and actions of the executive. If these are found to be unconstitutional, the courts can declare them null and void.

This power is part of the separation of powers system. Under it, each arm of government (legislature, executive, judiciary) limits the others so that no arm becomes too powerful. This arrangement is known as checks and balances.

3. Work through the options

• A. Checks and balances. Correct. Judicial review is one of the main ways the judiciary checks the other arms of government.
• B. A check on the legislature. Partly true, because courts can strike down unconstitutional laws. But it is too narrow, since judicial review also covers executive actions (for example, an unlawful executive order). It also describes only one effect, not the general principle that judicial review belongs to.
• C. A check on the executive and the media. Wrong. The media is not an arm of government and is not the target of judicial review.
• D. Ensuring the police assist the judiciary. Wrong. This has nothing to do with judicial review. It concerns enforcement of court orders.

4. Answer Judicial review is an aspect of checks and balances. This is the broader concept, and it covers both the legislature and the executive.

5. Exam tip When an option names the general principle (checks and balances) and the others name only one part of it (just the legislature) or something unrelated, the general principle is usually the better answer. Remember: separation of powers → checks and balances → judicial review.