Advanced Introduction to the US Supreme Court

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world’s leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas.

This Advanced Introduction examines the role of the US Supreme Court throughout American history, and suggests what, if anything, should be done to fix it. Tracing the Court’s evolution from a weak tribunal to one of America’s most powerful institutions, Kermit Roosevelt III explores its function as an ordinary judiciary body, the final voice in constitutional meaning, and an inconsistent defender of democracy and equality.

Key Features:

• Assesses why public perception of the Court so frequently swings between positive and negative
• Unites history, theory, and reform to present a comprehensive introduction to the US Supreme Court
• Evaluates the institutional roles the Supreme Court plays and the conditions under which those roles succeed or fail
• Proposes a structural reform of how the Court is staffed to better align with national majorities and appease contemporary frustrations
• Adopts an institutional, rather than ideological, approach, assessing what the Court is designed to do and what it actually does

Providing a clear and detailed overview of the US Supreme Court, this Advanced Introduction is an invaluable resource for students seeking to broaden their understanding of US constitutional law. Researchers and practitioners of law will likewise benefit from its insightful, practical solutions for the Court’s future.