Which statement best describes judicial restraint as an approach to policymaking?

• A. Judges actively crafting policy to reflect social changes
• B. Judges defer to elected branches on policymaking
• C. Judges interpret but rarely limit constitutional powers
• D. Judges rely on public opinion

Answer: (B)

Judicial restraint means the courts limit their role to interpreting the law and the Constitution, and defer to elected representatives when decisions involve public policy. They avoid crafting broad policy from the bench and only strike down laws or actions when clearly unconstitutional. This emphasis on leaving policymaking to the legislature and executive aligns with deferring to elected branches on policymaking. The other ideas describe more activist or opinion-driven approaches, which unlike restraint, involve the judiciary stepping into policy decisions or acting on public sentiment.