Social Sciences and History / Unit 8 SSH 0725 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Activism, Restraint, and Enforcement's Dependence
Captions available
The idea
Judicial activism is readier to overturn other branches, especially to broaden rights; judicial restraint is more likely to let them stand. Judicial power is not absolute: decisions reflect legal, personal, ideological and political influences, and enforcement depends on the other branches.
In practice
A coequal branch guarding the Constitution.
Where people slip
Decisions must keep up with the times, the anchor says.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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