The Supreme Court and the Attitudinal Model Revisited

Two leading scholars of the Supreme Court explain and predict its decision making.

Jeffrey A. Segal (Author), Harold J. Spaeth (Author)

9780521789714, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 16 September 2002

480 pages, 10 b/w illus. 36 tables
22.6 x 15 x 2.8 cm, 0.64 kg

"A first-rate book and a perfect companion reader for courses in constitutional law and judicial policy." Choice

This book, authored by two leading scholars of the Supreme Court and its policy making, systematically presents and validates the use of the attitudinal model to explain and predict Supreme Court decision making. In the process, it critiques the two major alternative models of Supreme Court decision making and their major variants: the legal and rational choice. Using the US Supreme Court Data Base, the justices' private papers, and other sources of information, the book analyzes the appointment process, certiorari, the decision on the merits, opinion assignments, and the formation of opinion coalitions. The book will be the definitive presentation of the attitudinal model as well as an authoritative critique of the legal and rational choice models. The book thoroughly reflects research done since the 1993 publication of its predecessor, as well as decisions and developments in the Supreme Court, including the momentous decision of Bush v. Gore.

1. Introduction: Supreme Court policy making
2. Models of decision making I: the legal model
3. Models of decision making II: the attitudinal and rational choice models
4. A political history of the Supreme Court
5. Staffing the Court
6. Getting into Court
7. The decision on the merits: the legal process
8. The decision on the merits: the attitudinal and rational choice models
9. Opinion assignment and opinion coalitions
10. The Supreme Court and constitutional democracy
11. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Politics & government [JP], Regional studies [GTB]