American Public Opinion and the Modern Supreme Court, 1930-2020: A Representative Institution

The United States Supreme Court is more in tune with popular opinion than commonly believed, with nearly two-thirds of modern decisions reflecting popular attitudes. Thomas R. Marshall's book examines how well the Court or the justices represent Americans' views, using nationwide public opinion broken down by key subgroups.

Format: Hardback
Length: 204 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

The United States Supreme Court is often perceived as an institution that operates independently of the broader American public. However, a surprising finding emerges when examining the majority of modern Supreme Court decisions: nearly two-thirds align with prevailing public attitudes. In a comprehensive study, Thomas R. Marshall compares over 500 Supreme Court decisions with timely nationwide poll questions spanning several decades since the mid-1930s. The findings reveal a striking pattern: most Supreme Court decisions either concur with poll majorities or pluralities across different time periods and issues, or they closely mirror the views of federal policymakers.

This book goes beyond the usual litigants, economic interests, social movements, organized interest groups, or governmental units typically associated with Supreme Court decisions. Instead, it delves into the question of how well the Court and its justices represent the views of the American people. Marshall employs nationwide public opinion, disaggregated by key subgroups such as race, gender, education, and party affiliation, to provide a more accurate portrayal of who Supreme Court decisions and individual justices' votes truly represent.

By examining these data, Marshall's book offers valuable insights to scholars in political science, legal studies, history, and sociology. It sheds light on the interplay between the Supreme Court and the broader public, challenging the notion of judicial independence and highlighting the importance of considering public opinion in shaping legal decisions. This study contributes to our understanding of the role of the judiciary in American democracy and provides valuable tools for analyzing and interpreting the impact of Supreme Court rulings on society.

Weight: 494g
Dimension: 227 x 158 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793623300