Generational political events shape judges’ values like those of other citizens

Evidence

Judges’ values and beliefs, like those of other citizens, may also be influenced by significant political events and nationwide changes in the pattern of opinion. For one generation, the crucial event was the Great Depression; for another, the Vietnam War; for a more recent generation, perhaps the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center or the Great Recession. Recall Justice Benjamin Cardozo’s comment: “The great tides and currents which engulf the rest of men do not turn aside in their course and pass the judges by.” — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 2575

Categorization

• XREF: Cohort/era effects on judges links to ch23 claim that judges’ values and discretion shape outcomes. — connects to: Judges bring consistent long-established political views to the bench — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 2572; Political activity is often a prerequisite for becoming a judge yet then forbidden — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 556; Generational events shape judicial attitudes along with everyone else’s. — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 1306 (+9 more)
• QUESTION: Which specific judicial cohorts shifted with Depression, Vietnam, or 9/11 — is there empirical evidence of these generational divides on the bench?

Broader Connections

• Regional political culture shapes the attitudes judges bring to the bench #expands (0.85) — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 2576
• Legal training and role orientation partially neutralize judges’ personal beliefs #complicates (0.80) — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 1366