Judicial Power and Strategic Communication in Mexico

Argues that constitutional courts develop public relations strategies to increase the transparency of judicial behavior and promote judicial legitimacy.

Jeffrey K. Staton (Author)

9780521195218, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 22 March 2010

236 pages, 18 b/w illus. 20 tables
23.5 x 16 x 1.8 cm, 0.46 kg

'Staton makes a strong contribution to recent judicial politics research by pointing out the strategic nature of public communication by constitutional courts … Rich insights can be gained from the in-depth case study of the Mexican Supreme Court during its decisive phase of democratic transition under the Zedillo and Fox administrations … this study offers a most innovative approach and sound empirical evidence on strategic communication presented in a very comprehensive way for any researcher interested in judicial behaviour and the interdependence of political institutions.' Jens Brandenburg, Political Studies Review

Although they are not directly accountable to voters, constitutional court judges communicate with the general public through the media. In Judicial Power and Strategic Communication in Mexico, Jeffrey K. Staton argues that constitutional courts develop public relations strategies in order to increase the transparency of judicial behavior and promote judicial legitimacy. Yet, in some political contexts there can be a tension between transparency and legitimacy, and for this reason, courts cannot necessarily advance both conditions simultaneously. The argument is tested via an analysis of the Mexican Supreme Court during Mexico's recent transition to democracy, and also through a cross-national analysis of public perceptions of judicial legitimacy. The results demonstrate that judges can be active participants in the construction of their own power. More broadly, the study develops a positive political theory of institutions, which highlights the connections between democratization and the rule of law.

Part I. Judicial Communication and Judicial Power: 1. Introduction
2. A model of constitutional review and case promotion
Appendix 2
Part II. The Politics of Constitutional Review in Mexico: 3. Public relations on the Mexican Supreme Court
4. Decisions, case promotion, and compliance in Mexico
Appendix 4A
Appendix 4B
Part III. Relationships between Transparency and Legitimacy: 5. Constitutional review and the development of judicial legitimacy
Appendix 5
6. A cross-national analysis of judicial legitimacy
7. Democracy and the development of judicial power.

Subject Areas: Judicial powers [LNAA1], Media, information & communication industries [KNT], Comparative politics [JPB], Media studies [JFD]