Behind the Bench: Constitutional Judges' Perspectives Under Political Pressure
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Abstract
Judicial independence is commonly viewed as a structural or doctrinal safeguard, but this study explores how it is personally interpreted and practiced by constitutional judges under political pressure. Using an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach, this qualitative study involved in-depth interviews with eight sitting and former constitutional judges in a transitional democracy. Participants were selected through purposive sampling to reflect diverse institutional backgrounds and experiences. The analysis identified three core themes: institutional isolation, moral struggle, and silent resistance. Judges described how they cope with political interference not through confrontation, but through legal precision, ethical reasoning, and personal resilience. These findings highlight the psychological and ethical dimensions of judicial independence, showing that autonomy is not solely protected by legal norms, but also by the judges’ personal commitment to constitutional principles. This study provides insight into how judicial behavior is shaped by lived experience, offering practical implications for strengthening institutional support systems that safeguard both legal integrity and the individual wellbeing of judges.
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