West Virginia Career and Technical Institute Law and Politics Paper

Description: In the current SCOTUS term, two cases illustrate the partisan nature of support or opposition to judicial activism: Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization(https://www.oyez.org/cases/2021/19-1392) and New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen (https://www.oyez.org/cases/2021/20-843). Briefly explain what each case is about, then describe judicial activism as we have defined it in this class, paying particular attention to how views on activism change over time (Balkin reading). Explain whether a supporter/opponent of abortion rights and a supporter/opponent of gun rights would want the court to be activist or restrained in each case and why. What do you think the court should do in each case? Can you justify your preferences on the basis of one of the forms of judicial interpretation we discussed? Be sure to cite readings and class material on judicial review, judicial activism/restraint, and/or judicial interpretation. Do NOT use material other than that which has been assigned in class.

If you want additional background on abortion and gun rights, you may consider these sources:

Abortion: https://www.acslaw.org/expertforum/a-very-short-abortion-law-primer/

Guns: https://www.vox.com/22745312/supreme-court-guns-second-amendment-nyc-bruen