Which principle grants courts the ability to review and decide on the legality of government actions?

Judicial review is the principle that empowers courts to examine the actions of government officials and determine whether those actions are constitutional and lawful. This key aspect of the judiciary's role allows courts to invalidate laws or government actions that violate constitutional provisions or legal standards.

The practice of judicial review ensures that the government operates within the framework established by the Constitution, maintaining the rule of law and protecting individual rights. It serves as a critical check on executive and legislative powers, ensuring that their actions remain subject to legal scrutiny.

While legal supremacy refers to the ultimate authority of the Constitution over all other laws, it is judicial review that translates that principle into actionable oversight. Executive privilege pertains to the confidentiality afforded to certain executive communications and decisions, which does not encompass the broader scope of evaluating the legality of governmental actions. Constitutional interpretation involves understanding and applying constitutional texts but does not solely represent the mechanism of oversight that judicial review embodies.

Thus, the essence of judicial review lies in its role as a guardian of constitutional governance, enabling the courts to uphold the law against any potential excesses by other branches of government.