Public Reaction to Supreme Court Decisions [Hardcover]

An examination of reactions to Supreme Court decisions in the local communities where the controversies began.In The Supreme Court and Local Public Opinion, Valerie Hoekstra examines public reaction to Supreme Court decisions. Using data from survey research, she finds extensive media coverage, high levels of knowledge about the cases, and that people changed how they felt about the Supreme Court in response to its decisions.In The Supreme Court and Local Public Opinion, Valerie Hoekstra examines public reaction to Supreme Court decisions. Using data from survey research, she finds extensive media coverage, high levels of knowledge about the cases, and that people changed how they felt about the Supreme Court in response to its decisions.Valerie Hoekstra examines public reaction to Supreme Court decisions in this study. Using data from survey research, she analyzes extensive media coverage, and sensitive knowledge about the cases, to reveal how people's opinions of the Supreme Court were affected by its decisions.1. The high-wire act: the Supreme Court and public opinion; 2. Placing the cases in legal and political context; 3. Media attention and public awareness; 4. Changing hearts and minds? Examining the legitimation hypothesis; 5. Public support for the Supreme Court; 6. Conclusion: balancing independence and support. Hoekstra's...research design is excellent. Her review of the relevant literature is insightful and intelligent. She uses an inter-disciplinary approach that demonstrates good understanding of the relevant social psychology, political psychology, and persuasion literature and she understands that substance and theory are as important as methodology. Law and Politics Book Review