The Politics of the US Supreme Court

The Politics of the US Supreme Court Synopsis

First published in 1980, The Politics of the US Supreme Court offers the first introductory analysis of the US Supreme Court written by a non-American political scientist specifically for students. It provides three distinct advantages: First, it presents the Supreme Court in an accessible format for those unfamiliar with the American judicial system, while offering American readers a fresh political perspective that contrasts with predominantly legal academic literature. Second, the author's broad perspective enables a concise synthesis of the Court's historical and contemporary constitutional role, decision-making processes, and relationships with other branches of government and the American people. The analysis centres on a detailed examination of the Court's internal decision-making process, including the enforcement (or lack thereof) of its decisions. Third, the book addresses the theoretical debate about an unaccountable Court's proper role within a democratic system—a topic of growing interest to political scientists globally.The text deliberately avoids excessive legalism, instead offering a lively, readable account rooted in concrete examples and the human personalities behind case names, making this complex institution more accessible and engaging. This book will be a valuable historical reference for students of American Politics.