Final answer:
The term stare decisis refers to the judicial practice of adhering to established precedent in legal rulings, integral to maintaining consistency and stability in the law.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term stare decisis refers to the legal principle of following precedents set by previous court decisions. This concept is fundamental in the U.S. court system, especially within common law, to maintain consistency and stability in law. Under stare decisis, today's judicial decisions are based on past rulings, which then influence future ones.
This principle is closely associated with judicial restraint, where judges defer to legislatures and are cautious not to overturn laws unless they are clearly unconstitutional. Judicial activism, on the other hand, involves judges using their power to promote individual rights and may involve overturning past precedents to adapt to changing social norms and justice considerations.