Lochner v. New York

Lochner v. New York (1905) was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case where the Court struck down a New York law that limited bakery workers' hours to 60 per week. The Court ruled that the law violated the "liberty of contract," meaning that workers and employers should have the freedom to negotiate their working conditions without government interference. This decision emphasized individual economic rights but sparked debate about labor regulations and the state's role in protecting workers' welfare. The ruling is often associated with the broader principle of laissez-faire economics in the early 20th century.