Did the change from the Warren Court to the Burger Court affect a basic shift in the role of the Supreme Court in American society?

Answer 1

Not really. Both the Warren and Burger Courts were considered liberal and activist, although the liberal Warren Court gradually shifted toward a more conservative posture as Republican Presidents made new appointments. Chief Justice Earl Warren strongly believed in civil rights, egalitarianism, and in extending Constitutional protection to those traditionally excluded from full participation in our society, and this general trend continued under Chief Justice Warren Burger, at least in the early years of his tenure.

The big change came during the Rehnquist Court, after a succession of Republican Presidents had opportunities to fill vacancies on the Court. This shifted the tenor of the Court toward conservative, where it remains today (and probably will for years to come, due to the conservative faction being younger and healthier than most of the liberal faction).