About Quote by Noah Feldman
“To hear both critics and defenders talk about the fitness of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court, you'd think the most successful Supreme Court justices had been warm, collegial consensus-builders. But history tells a different story.”
About This Quote
Source Article: "The Supreme Court and the Myth of Consensus" by Noah Feldman, 2020
Challenges the notion that effective justices are always collaborative, highlighting that dissent and conflict can drive progress.
In simple terms: Effective judges may not always be collaborative.
Key Takeaway
Embrace constructive dissent.
Themes
law
judiciary
conflict
progress
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
reflective
informative
When to use this quote
- court nominations
- legal reforms
- policy debates
- judicial decision‑making
Key Concepts
constitutional theory
institutional dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- When is dissent beneficial for institutions?
- How can courts balance unity and disagreement?
A Different Perspective
Consensus can stifle innovation and adaptation.
![“I understand that during [Sonia Sotomayor's] career, she's written hundreds and hundreds of opinions. I haven't read a single one of them, and if I'm fortunate before we end this, I won't have to read one of them.” quote by Harry Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c9b/harry-reid-7718_careers_i-understand-that-during-sonia-sotomayor_1780149.jpg)
