First among Friends Interest Groups, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Right to Privacy

Subjects:

• Political Science » American Politics/Government
• Political Science » Civil/Political/Human Rights
• Law » Law (General)

Reviews:

• Many pundits consider the Supreme Court far from the "least dangerous branch" and the most undemocratic of America's triumvirate of political institutions. Likewise, the activity of lobbying groups throughout the US political system has gained great notice in recent decades. Many consider the policy outputs of these groups to be antithetical to democracy. Samuels combines these two streams of research by examining the role of interest groups in "right to privacy" cases heard before the Supreme Court. In particular, she examines whether and how amicus briefs written by various groups have worked to affect the Court's rulings. This is important given the externality of most groups as litigants in Supreme Court cases. Samuels finds that the data and arguments provided in amicus briefs serve to sway the justices in ways not discussed during oral arguments. She further concludes that the justices do have "favorites" when it comes to interest groups, and their arguments have certainly influenced privacy decisions. This book should be read by students of the Court and those studying the role of interest groups (particularly how groups lobby in a nonlegislative setting). Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above.
  —Choice July 2005

Table of Contents:

• Foreword by Nadine Strossen
• Introduction: Decision-Making in the U.S. Supreme Court
• The Right to Privacy Created: Poe v. Ullman and Groswold v. Connecticut
• Amici Curiae and the Abortion Debate
• Amici Curiae and Assistance in Dying
• Amici Curiae and Protected Relationships
• Conclusions
• Bibliography
• Index