What concept entails the government providing a compelling reason for laws that restrict fundamental rights?

The concept that involves the government needing to demonstrate a compelling reason for laws that restrict fundamental rights is known as compelling government interest. This principle is significant in constitutional law, particularly in relation to the protection of individual rights, as it sets a high standard that the government must meet to justify limitations on those rights.

When laws are challenged for infringing upon fundamental rights, courts apply a strict scrutiny test. Under this test, the government must show that the law serves a compelling state interest and that the law is narrowly tailored to achieve that interest. This ensures that any restriction on fundamental rights is not arbitrary or overly broad, thereby protecting individual freedoms.

In contrast, judicial review refers to the power of courts to examine laws and determine their constitutionality, but it does not specifically address the standard of justification for limiting rights. Federal preemption concerns the precedence of federal law over state law but is unrelated to the justification for rights restrictions. Individual liberties refer to the basic rights and freedoms protected from infringement by the government, but they do not encapsulate the requirement for a compelling government interest to justify limitations on those rights.