The Purpose of Judges.
Differences Between the Left and Conservatives Part II
The Purpose of Judges.
When referring to the left—not liberals—the purpose of judges is often framed as pursuing social justice through the lens of group identity and historical oppression. In this view, if two people are in court and one is poor while the other is rich, or one belongs to a majority group and the other to a marginalized group, the left may argue that the disadvantaged party deserves special consideration to address systemic injustices. This perspective tends to prioritize group identity over individual circumstances, suggesting that outcomes should help correct broader social imbalances. It’s important to note that not everyone on the left advocates ignoring the facts of a case entirely. Rather, there is an emphasis on the context of power and privilege. However, history has shown that when this ideology becomes the standard, social justice rather than judicial impartiality can dominate the administration of justice.
A radical application of this ideology was seen in communist revolutions, particularly in the Soviet Union. There, the legal system was not designed to be impartial. Instead, it served the goals of the Communist Party and enforced a strict class-based ideology. Soviet legal philosophy openly declared that the law was a tool for the "dictatorship of the proletariat." Justice meant favoring those considered part of the working class while punishing or excluding so-called "class enemies." For example, during collectivization, "kulaks"—often middle-class farmers—were targeted for dispossession, exile, or execution, not because of specific crimes but because of their class status. In periods of upheaval, some criminals were also released from prisons, not as a matter of justice, but as a political tactic to disrupt the old social order.
In contrast, conservatives typically see the purpose of judges as the impartial pursuit of justice. In this philosophy, the facts of the case and the law should determine the outcome, regardless of whether one party is rich or poor, or from a majority or marginalized group. Justice, in this view, means that the decision goes to the party who is correct under the law, not based on their social or economic status.
To clarify the differences between the left and liberals and to avoid confusion regarding their views on justice: liberals tend to support individual rights, due process, and incremental reform within the existing legal framework. While they may advocate for social safety nets and civil rights, their approach generally emphasizes equality before the law and the protection of individual liberties, rather than prioritizing group identity or systemic overhaul.
