Judicial Decisions

Which one of the following influences Supreme Court Justices more?

• presidents

• history

• congress

Answer explanation

What is Judicial Activism?

• The idea that the courts have a role to play in creating policy, not simply interpreting law and the Constitution.

• The idea that the courts should let other branches make policy.

• The idea that the courts should only interpret the Constitution and not extend into the realm of policymaking.

Answer explanation

What is Judicial Restraint?

• The idea that the Constitution should be interpreted based on the framers' intent when it was written.

• The idea that the courts should stick closely to precedent and only make small, necessary changes to policy.

• The idea that judges should be restricted in making decisions.

The "high tide" of Judicial Activism was between the 1950's and the _______.

• 1960s

• 1970

• 1980s

• 1990s

Answer explanation

Judicial Restraint was prominent from the ________ to the early 2000s.

• 1950s

• 1960s

• 1980s

• 1990s

Answer explanation

According to the concept of judicial restraint, courts are not supposed to overturn the decisions of a democratically-elected ____________ in order to make policy.

• Congress

• President

• state courts

Answer explanation

Which of the following describes the issue of judicial restraint versus judicial activism?

• It pits liberals for judicial activism against conservatives for judicial restraint.

• It was the main reason for creating the Supreme Court.

• It is not the same as liberal judges versus conservative judges.

Answer explanation

Which of the following is accurate?

• A Supreme Court Justice can be a liberal and exercise judicial restraint.

• A Supreme Court Justice can be a conservative and be a judicial activist.

• Both of these are accurate statements.

Answer explanation

Supreme Court justices make decisions without politics being involved.

• True

• False

Answer explanation