The Supreme Court's involvement in many hot political and personal
conflicts makes crucial an understanding of its internal workings and
evolution. This book gives students a firm historical and institutional
base upon which to evaluate contemporary Supreme Court decisions and the
impact of those decisions on the lives of ordinary citizens. The author
analyzes several issues, including: how the Supreme Court works; what
key institutional norms have developed over time to make it work
efficiently; and how popular support for the Supreme Court changes over
time.