1. The court system is designed to protect individual rights, even when the majority might oppose them. Unlike elected officials such as Congress members, Presidents, or Mayors, judges do not need to rely on public approval to stay in office. This allows them to make decisions based solely on the Constitution and laws, rather than political or economic pressures. For example, in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), the Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. Many states and local governments still supported segregation at the time, but the Court protected the civil rights of African American students, showing how the judiciary can defend minority rights against popular opinion.

2. Federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, are appointed rather than elected. Some people argue this is “anti-democratic” because judges are not directly accountable to voters. They serve for life, or until they choose to step down, which means their influence can last across multiple administrations. Currently, Republicans hold a majority on the Supreme Court, but this system is intentional. According to Federalist #10, the government should protect minorities from the influence of majority factions. Appointed judges can make decisions based on law and principle, rather than popularity or pressure from powerful social groups.