If the justices didn’t feel bound to stick with precedents they didn’t personally agree with, the law would be in constant flux and ultimately politicized, with the pendulum swinging back and forth on key issues every time the court’s composition shifts. Regarding this particular case, critics contend that the 5–4 decision reflected the political motivations of a conservative majority, because fewer union dues generally translate into a smaller voice for Democratic (versus Republican) voters.
