Uncover the intricacies of American politics with our meticulously crafted notes from Warwick's PAIS Department's module, "Politics of the U.S.A. (PO207)." Delve into every facet of American political life, from the workings of Congress to the dynamics of the media and gender's role in shaping the ...
David McKay: ‘American Politics and Society’ 2017
Chapter 15: The Supreme Court and Judicial Politics
What is the role of the Supreme Court within the political system?
Does the Supreme Court wield too much influence in American
government?
How can the power of an unelected Supreme Court be justified in a system
which claims to be democratic?
What determines presidential selection of nominees for the Court?
How impartial are Supreme Court Justices?
But first… in the constitution:
Article III Section I: ‘The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one
supreme Court, and in such inferior Court as the Congress may from time to time ordain
and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices
during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a
Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office’.
Structure of the U.S. Legal System
, Week Ten – Supreme Court
1: What is the Role of the Supreme Court Within the Political System
Firstly, let’s talk about the structure of the Supreme Court:
1
1 Chief Justice, 8 Associate Justice:
The Supreme Court begins its annual session on the first Monday in October, and end late
in the following June. The Court receives 10,000 petitions annually, but typically hears 75-
80 cases.
Article III Section II established jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. The Court holds original
jurisdiction (a case is tried before the Court) over certain cases. The Court has appellate
jurisdiction (the court can hear the case on appeal) on almost any other case involving a
point of constitutional/ federal law2.
The Court holds the power of judicial review. This is the idea that the ‘actions of the
executive and legislative branches of government are subject to review and possible
invalidation by the judiciary’. [Cornell Law School]3. It was established by the landmark case
Marbury v. Madison, the first Supreme Court decision to strike down an act of Congress as
unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court justices have to be fairly picky regarding which cases they choose to
hear. This is the process of granting certiorari, and often the following questions will be
asked to determine whether a case should be heard:
1
Krutz, G. (2020) American Government 3e. Houston: Rice University.
2
https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/about-educational-outreach/activity-
resources/about
3
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/judicial_review
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