What is meant by judicial activism? What form did judicial activism take in Texas in the 1970s? How did that change beginning in the late 1980s? Why do many people object to this role (judicial activism) of the court in policy making?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Explain the concept of judicial activism.
2. Identify the 1970s as a period during which trial attorneys were major contributors to judicial campaigns and the elected justices often engaged in liberal activism by siding with consumers over businesses and medical practitioners.
3. Explain that changing patterns in campaign contributions and the election of Republican justices led to conservative activism, with support for the business and medical communities.
4. Explain that people feel that activism by the judiciary indicates it is exceeding its constitutional authority, that the proper role of the courts is not to make policy, but to narrowly interpret and apply laws enacted by the legislature.