Compact theory of government: states voluntarily entered into an agreement with the
national government in signing the constitution. Both sides must follow the rules
established in the constitution.
Nullification: the power of the states to declare unconstitutional laws void.
The power of Nullification is NECESSARY, because otherwise:
--The federal governmet will take too much power
--In response, states will want to leave the Union
So nullification is a necessary ‘relief valve’ for the tensions of federalism. Or put another
way, it’s like a check on the national government by the states.