Conservatives Liberals Heart Tort Law

An interesting essay by Stephen Sugarman on what he asserts is a shift in support for tort law.  The abstract:

This essay explores in ideological terms the transformation in who supports American tort law. Traditionally structured to function to favor defendants, tort law around 1960 was a regime that conservatives defended and liberals sought to replace or reform. Today, many on the left embrace tort law, and it is the right that is pushing for “tort reform.” Along with this ideological somersault, American tort law has become much more politically prominent.