The Solicitor General and the United States Supreme Court: Executive Branch Influence and Judicial Decisions [Hardcover]

This book examines whether and how the Office of the Solicitor General influences the United States Supreme Court.This book examines whether and how the Office of the Solicitor General influences the United States Supreme Court. Combining archival data with recent innovations in the areas of matching and causal inference, the book finds that the Solicitor General influences every aspect of the Court's decision making process.This book examines whether and how the Office of the Solicitor General influences the United States Supreme Court. Combining archival data with recent innovations in the areas of matching and causal inference, the book finds that the Solicitor General influences every aspect of the Court's decision making process.The United States government, represented by the Office of the Solicitor General, appears before the Supreme Court more than any other litigant. The Office's link to the president, the arguments it makes before the Court, and its ability to alter the legal and policy landscape make it the most important Supreme Court litigant bar none. As such, scholars must understand the Office's role in Supreme Court decision making and, more importantly, its ability to influence the Court. This book examines whether and how the Office of the Solicitor General influences the United States Supreme Court. Combining archival data with recent innovations in the areas of matching and causal inference, the book finds that the Solicitor General influences every aspect of the Court's decision making process. From granting review to cases, selecting winning parties, writing opinions, and interpreting precedent, the Solicitor General's office influences the Court to behave in ways it otherwise would not.1. The Solicitor General and the Supreme Court; 2. The Office of the Solicitor General: the finest law firm in the country; 3. Explanations for Solicitor General success; 4. Solicitor General influence and agenda setting; 5. Solicitor General influence and meri