Final answer:
The Supreme Court's decision on Baker v. Carr established the federal courts' authority over redistricting and laid the foundation for the 'one-man, one-vote' principle, which required legislative districts to be roughly equal in population. This decision is frequently associated with the legacy of the Warren Court and its role in promoting civil rights and civil liberties through what some consider judicial activism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Baker v. Carr Majority Decision
The majority decision in the landmark Supreme Court case Baker v. Carr was a pivotal moment in United States constitutional law, particularly in the area of electoral redistricting. The Court's ruling made it clear that the federal courts had the authority to hear cases on redistricting, declaring that issues related to redistricting were justiciable rather than being solely political questions. This decision laid the groundwork for the "one-man, one-vote" principle, stating that states could not give rural voters a disproportionate amount of legislative power compared to urban voters.
The majority of the justices, namely six out of nine at the time, supported this decision, which underscored the basic democratic principles of equal representation and voting rights. The opinions from the justices indicated that legislative districts must be roughly equal in population to ensure fair and effective representation. The decision further indicated that the existing disparities in representation violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
However, the ruling was met with significant opposition from some Republicans who viewed it as legally frail and accused the court of overstepping its bounds, some even referring to the opinions as being as influential as the opinion of anyone in a Washington bar-room. They deemed it non-binding on the basis that it covered issues not placed before the court, a practice known as obiter dictum.
Impact of the Warren Court
The case of Baker v. Carr was one of the many transformative decisions overseen by Chief Justice Earl Warren, which contributed to the legacy of the Warren Court in shaping civil rights and civil liberties policy in the United States. The Court's decisions during this era were significant and at times divisive, as they addressed major societal issues and reflected a period of judicial activism.