Cass R. Sunstein, Columnist

On Affirmative Action, Supreme Court Rules for Humility

Not every policy dispute can be decided by a sweeping constitutional principle.

Supreme modesty.

Photographer: Evan Vucci/Pool/Getty Images
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In refusing to strike down a race-conscious admissions plan at the University of Texas at Austin on Thursday, the Supreme Court did more than uphold an affirmative action program. Just as important, it struck a much-needed blow for judicial modesty.

The justices showed an awareness that others might know better than they do. We could use a lot more of that.