Explain why: (a) the Judicial Branch is best suited to have this authority and (b) the United States could not have a workable system of government without judicial review.  Defend your answer with academic quality resources.

Attached is the case of Marbury v. Madison and instructions. 

"It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is. Those who apply the rule to particular cases, must of necessity expound and interpret that rule. If two laws conflict with each other, the courts must decide on the operation of each."

- Chief Justice John Marshall  

Our first stop on our tour through legal history is at a District of Columbia pub in 1803, which is during the very early days of organized government within the United States so that we can: (a) analyze the role and authority of the judicial system in interpreting the U.S. Constitution, (b) distinguish between the three branches of government and identify their relationships, conflicts and roles, and (c) determine how multilateralism has begun to form Supreme Court precedent.

In the tavern, you find that the other guests discussing the then-just announced Supreme Court decision of Marbury v. Madison, 5 U.S. (1 Cranch) 137 (1803).  Read the case and the lecture notes, both of which can be found in the Resources section of this classroom.  Read the case so that you can join in on the discourse.  (Side excursion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TVkeRUvX_U)  The tavern guests, as well as the parties to the lawsuit, remember well the tumult of the American Revolution, the political confusion and financial austerity while under the Articles of Confederation, as well as the ratification of the federal Constitution. 

Consider the hot button issues of that era as the background scenery behind the center focus for this week: judicial review.  In the United States, all courts have the power to review decisions of the other branches of government and determine their constitutionality, but the final power of judicial review rests with nine appointed justices of the Supreme Court

Now, expand the tavern discussion here in this forum (it's ok to explain contemporary context, too):

First (and Third, Fifth, Seventh, etc.) Student to Make Initial Post: Explain why: (a) the Judicial Branch is best suited to have this authority and (b) the United States could not have a workable system of government without judicial review.  Defend your answer with academic quality resources.

Second (and Fourth, Sixth, Eighth, etc.) Student to Make Initial Post:  Explain why (a) the Judicial Branch is not well suited for this authority and (b) the United States would be better served without judicial review.  Defend your answer with academic quality resources.

All Responsive Posts: Play devil's advocate by providing logical arguments that oppose those presented in someone else's initial post.

**NOTE: You must cite sources in Bluebook format to support and defend your position. Remember to post your initial comments [at least 500 words (which is the equivalent of 1.5 typed pages, double spaced)] and respond (responses must be 250-350 words per post) by Sunday to two of your classmates' postings as well.  

Attachments:

• 1506109374-MarburyvMadison.pdf