What best defines the doctrine of nullification? Liberty and Union are inseparable. The tariff laws are not binding on the states. States can declare federal laws to be unconstitutional.

Devised by Calhoun. Questioned the legality of applying some federal laws in sovereign states. Calhoun argued that the US Constitution was based on a pact by 13 sovereign states. He thought that if the Constitution was established by 13 sovereign states then each state had the right to nullify or reject a federal law that it considered unconstitutional. Calhoun believed that if the federal government refused to let a state nullify a federal law the state had the right to withdraw from the Union.