The courts can usually better protect the rights of the individual compared to political institutions of government, such as Congress or the President or the Mayor, because they are removed from the political pressures that bind elected members. Judges do not feel subject to the need to get votes or to appease party interests. Therefore, they can remain unbiased and focus on constitutional principles and individual rights. The Supreme Court can ensure people’s rights even when the popular consensus or elected representatives hold a contrary view.
For example, the matter of the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. While politicians may have been motivated by issues of national security and public opinion during the war, the Court, while initially affirming the internment in Korematsu v. United States (1944), had subsequent opportunity to revisit and hone its position towards individual rights in later decisions (albeit the Korematsu case itself was never technically overruled, but was subject to fervent criticism and overshadowed by later holdings). Earlier, in the recent past, Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) is a case in which the Court protected individual rights (same-sex marriage) against the majority of states and the then-prevailing public opinion. This indicates how the Court is ready to protect individuals even against the political tide.
On the other hand, elected government branches may avoid unpopular options because their survival is founded on popular favor and re-election. For instance, the majority of politicians may be reluctant to implement policies that protect minority groups or end racial discrimination if such actions are unpopular with a large portion of their constituents or interest groups sponsoring their campaigns. Thus, the Court has the unique advantage of being shielded from the pressure to respond to the moods of voters, and hence it is more likely to be effective at protecting individual rights, especially when the majority may not be in favor. On the other hand, elected government branches may avoid unpopular options because their survival is founded on popular favor and re-election. For instance, the majority of politicians may be reluctant to implement policies that protect minority groups or end racial discrimination if such actions are unpopular with a large portion of their constituents or interest groups sponsoring their campaigns. Thus, the Court has the unique advantage of being shielded from the pressure to respond to the moods of voters, and hence it is more likely to be effective at protecting individual rights, especially when the majority may not be in favor.
