Legitimacy of the Judicial Branch

This study guide covers the concept of precedent and the principle of stare decisis in the US Supreme Court. It explains the importance of stare decisis for legal stability, consistency, and predictability. The guide explores the tension between upholding precedent and adapting to changing circumstances, including how courts distinguish cases and overrule precedent. It examines the Supreme Court's role in overruling precedents, using Brown v. Board of Education as a landmark example. The influence of judicial ideology and presidential appointments on Supreme Court decisions are also discussed. Finally, the guide addresses how lower courts navigate conflicting precedents and compares common law and civil law systems.