Presenting a new theoretical perspective, Fix and Kassow show how law and politics shape state high court use of Supreme Court precedent. This book approaches this complex topic in an accessible way that will appeal to anyone interested in law and politics or traditional approaches to legal decision-making.

High courts around the world hold a revered place in the legal hierarchy. These courts are the presumed impartial final arbiters as individuals, institutions, and nations resolve their legal differences. But they also buttress and mitigate the influence of other political actors, protect minority rights, and set directions for policy. The comparative empirical analysis offered in this volume highlights important differences between constitutional courts but also clarifies the unity of procedure, process, and practice in the world’s highest judicial institutions. High Courts in Global Perspective pulls back the curtain on the interlocutors of court systems internationally. This book creates a framework for a comparative analysis that weaves together a collective narrative on high court behavior and the scholarship needed for a deeper understanding of cross-national contexts. From the U.S. federal courts to the constitutional courts of Africa, from the high courts in Latin America to the Court of Justice of the European Union, high courts perform different functions in different societies, and the contributors take us through particularities of regulation and legislative review as well as considering the legitimacy of the court to serve as an honest broker in times of political transition. Unique in its focus and groundbreaking in its access, this comparative study will help scholars better understand the roles that constitutional courts and judges play in deciding some of the most divisive issues facing societies across the globe. From Africa to Europe to Australia and continents and nations in between, we get an insider’s look into the construction and workings of the world’s courts while also receiving an object lesson on best practices in comparative quantitative scholarship today. Contributors: Aylin Aydin-Cakir, Yeditepe University, Turkey * Tanya Bagashka, University of Houston * Clifford Carrubba, Emory University * Amanda Driscoll, Florida State University * Joshua Fischman, University of Virginia * Joshua Fjelstul, Washington University in St. Louis * Tom Ginsburg, University of Chicago * Melinda Gann Hall, Michigan State University * Chris Hanretty, University of London * Lori Hausegger, Boise State University * Diana Kapiszewski, Georgetown University * Lewis A. Kornhauser, New York University * Dominique H. Lewis, Texas A&M University * Chien-Chih Lin, Academia Sinica, Taiwan * Sunita Parikh, Washington University in St. Louis * Russell Smyth, Monash University, Australia * Christopher Zorn, Pennsylvania State University Constitutionalism and Democracy

The United States Supreme Court is commonly thought to be an institution far removed from American public opinion. Yet nearly two-thirds of modern Supreme Court decisions reflect popular attitudes. Comparing over 500 Supreme Court decisions with timely nationwide poll questions since the mid-1930s, Thomas R. Marshall shows that most Supreme Court decisions agree with poll majorities or pluralities across time and across issues and often represent Americans’ views to the same degree as federal policymakers. This book looks beyond the litigants, economic interests, social movements, organized interest groups, or units of governments typically involved and instead examines how well the Court or the justices represent Americans’ views. Using nationwide public opinion, broken down by key subgroups, race, gender, education, and party affiliation, better describes exactly whom Supreme Court decisions and the justices’ individual votes best represent. His book will be of interest to scholars in political science, legal studies, history, and sociology.

In The Supreme Court, Lawrence Baum provides a brief yet comprehensive introduction to the U.S. Supreme Court, one that is balanced and illuminating. In successive chapters, the book examines each major aspect of the Court: the selection, backgrounds, and departures of justices; the creation of the Court′s agenda; the decision-making process and the factors that shape the Court′s decisions; the substance of the Court′s policies; and the Court′s impact on government and American society. Describing the Court′s personalities and procedures, and delving deeply to explain the actions of the Court and the behavior of justices, Baum shows students the Court′s complexity and reach. Tables and figures, plus a lively photo program, make this one of the most engaging books available. It is simply the standard.

This timely Research Handbook offers a comprehensive examination of judicial politics, both in the US and across the globe. Taking a broad view of the judiciary in all levels of the court, it examines the present state of the field and raises new questions for future scholarly exploration.

Practical Ethics in Clinical Neurology: A Case-Based Learning Approach Practical Ethics in Clinical Neurology (PECN) is a case-based ethics textbook designed for readers who want a concise, accessible book to help them assess and resolve ethical challenges in everyday practice. With chapter topics and case content that reflect commonly encountered issues in adult and pediatric neurology, PECN meets the needs of students, residents, fellows, and practicing neurologists. With easy, web-based access to key guidance documents from the American Academy of Neurology, and references to important sections in Dr. James L. Bernat's Ethical Issues in Neurology, 3rd ed. (the most highly respected ethics textbook in neurology), PECN helps readers focus on the essential ethical and professional considerations in each case. Directors of medical student clerkships and residency programs in neurology will find that PECN helps them meet the learning objectives of the AAMC, ACGME, and ABPN. Look inside and explore... * Case-based approach places key ethical principles into a practical, real-world context to aid in decision-making. * An outstanding array of learning features includes the following sections: Learning Objectives, Clinical Vignettes, Questions to guide self-study and group discussions, Key Points, Key Words, Suggestions for Further Reading, and more. * Clinical pragmatism model helps readers analyze ethical issues in a clinical context.

Covering the key concepts, events, laws and legal doctrines, court decisions, and litigators and litigants, this new reference on the law of search and seizure—in the physical as well as the online world—provides a unique overview for individuals seeking to understand the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. More than 900 A to Z entries cover the key issues that surround this essential component of the Bill of Rights and the linchpin of a right to privacy. This two-volume reference—from the editors of CQ Press’s award-winning Encyclopedia of the First Amendment—features a series of essays that examine the historical background of the Fourth Amendment along with its key facets relating to: Technology Privacy Terrorism Warrant requirement Congress States A to Z entries include cross-references and bibliographic entries. This work also features both alphabetical and topical tables of contents as well as a comprehensive subject index and a case index.At a time when threats of crime and terrorism have resulted in increased governmental surveillance into personal lives, this work will serve as an important asset for researchers seeking information on the history and relevance of legal rights against such intrusions. Key Features: More than 900 signed entries, including 600 court cases and 100 biographies Preface by noted journalist Nat Hentoff From the editors of CQ Press’s award-winning Encyclopedia of the First Amendment

Explains why lawyers seeking gender progress from primary legal materials should start with the common law.