Role of court

What role should the courts play in our society? Historically some of the most significant changes in our society have occurred due to decisions by the Supreme Court. Issues such as the powers of the federal government, integrated schools, legalized abortion, & the death penalty have all been decided by the Supreme Court. In the recent debate over Gay marriage an argument waged by those in favor of the constitutional amendment ban, argued that it was not the role of the courts to make policy. Others hold that courts make decisions that politicians are unable to make because they are politically unpopular but constitutionally valid. What should the role of the courts be in our society?