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 This book will be a valuable historical reference for students of American Politics.
By:
Richard Hodder-Williams Imprint: Routledge Country of Publication: United Kingdom Dimensions:
Height: 234mm,
Width: 156mm,
ISBN:9781041123828 ISBN 10: 1041123825 Series:Routledge Revivals Pages: 220 Publication Date:01 January 2026 Audience:
College/higher education
,
Primary
Format:Paperback Publisher's Status: Forthcoming
Richard Hodder-Williams is Emeritus Professor of Politics at University of Bristol, UK.
