Chapter 5, The Judicial Branch, It Rules Summary and Analysis

Now that the first two branches of American government have been discusses, chapter five discusses the judicial branch, which Stewart describes as America's twenty-four-hour tech support, explaining how things should work. It is charged with interpreting the Constitution and is always mentioned last, and often regarded as the weakest branch of government. It flies under the radar and many there like it that way. It can control pornography, abortion, neo-Nazi marches and so on.

At the top of the branch is the Supreme Court. Unelected officials populate it and its proceedings are not televised. It seems undemocratic but it is supposed to be in order to protect it against public sentiment and expediency. They can base their decisions entirely on the Constitution. Below the Supreme Court are the district and federal appeals courts, and together...