Interest Group Involvement in Supreme Court Nominations, 1930-2010
Year: 2015
Type: preprint
Abstract: We examine interest group involvement in every Supreme Court nomination from 1930 to 2010. We present new data on the intensity of interest group mobilization and counter-mobilization, the identity and types of groups involved, the changing tactics of groups, and the timing of mobilization during the nomination process. The number of groups participating and the intensity of their mobilization has increased dramatically over time, even controlling for the likely overall growth of interest groups. Prior to the Bork nomination, mobilization against nominees was triggered primarily by low nominee quality; its timing appears opportunistic. Counter-mobilization in favor of nominees was rare. Beginning in the mid-1980s, mobilization against nominees became unconnected to nominee quality but very sensitive to nominee ideology. Pro- nominee counter-mobilization became routine. The timing of mobilization and counter- mobilization suggest concerted campaigns rather than opportunistic mobilization. The nature of mobilized groups has also shifted dramatically, from industrial unions, core civil rights groups, and old right groups, to public sector unions, the Christian right, life-style activists, new style liberal groups, and staged pro-administration front groups. Our quantitative evidence largely confirms recent historiography on the transformation of the conservative movement and complements other historically oriented studies of interest group involvement in American politics.
Source: SSRN Electronic Journal
Authors: Cody Gray, Charles M. Cameron, Jee‐Kwang Park
Language: English
Subfield: Law
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2297557100