Entry:

Barnum, David G., "The Supreme Court and Public Opinion: Judicial Decision Making in the Post-New Deal Period," Journal of Politics, 47 (May, 1985), 652-666.


Abstract:

The post-New Deal Supreme Court's decisions overturning legislation and/or protecting the rights of minorities were often supported by the distribution or at least the trend of public opinion. On issues such as busing, preferential treatment of minorities, legalization of marijuana, and legalization of homosexual activity, where support was lacking, the Court seemed reluctant to act.

GSS Years:

1972-78, 1980

Other Data Sets:

ANES 1960-1980

GSS Codebook Variables referenced by document:

Variable Name

Variable Label

 
 
PILL

BIRTH CONTROL INFORMATION

RACSCHOL

SHOULD WHITES & BLACKS GO TO SAME SCHOOL

RACMAR

FAVOR LAW AGAINST RACIAL INTERMARRIAGE

ABSINGLE

NOT MARRIED

FEWORK

SHOULD WOMEN WORK

PRAYER

BIBLE PRAYER IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

GRASS

SHOULD MARIJUANA BE MADE LEGAL

HELPBLK

SHOULD GOVT AID BLACKS?

HOMOSEX

HOMOSEXUAL SEX RELATIONS

COURTS

COURTS DEALING WITH CRIMINALS

CAPPUN

FAVOR OR OPPOSE DEATH PENALTY FOR MURDER