The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court

The main point of The Nine is that a conservative revolution began in reaction to the liberalism of the Court under Chief Justices Earl Warren and Warren Burger. What made their tenures “liberal,” in the minds of many? Describe several landmark decisions from their tenures and explain why they are considered liberal.

Justice Ginsburg is seen as a pioneer in the area of women’s rights. What are some cases she won as a lawyer to give her this distinction? What section(s) of the Constitution are they based on and how did they benefit women?

Choose one of the justices and read some of their major opinions. Is he or she considered liberal or conservative? Why? From the opinions, what can you glean about his or her judicial philosophy?