Judicial Behavior and Policymaking

Robert J. Hume is Professor of Political Science at Fordham University.

Hume presents a social-scientific take on the politics of judging. This brief volume focuses on empirical versus normative questions that are key to fostering an analytical approach to what we know about courts and judging. . . The supplementary primary source excerpts are the standard fare for judicial process textbooks. . . they provide solid applications of the concepts introduced in the text. The structure of the book is organized by social science theories, which provides an interesting frame for presenting concepts organically, on an as-needed basis. This makes the flow of the book superior to that of many similar texts. Although the book covers many of the basics, it occasionally assumes some prior knowledge. It draws more heavily from the perspective of political science than many similar texts, which makes it an important supplement to a more traditional text in courses on judging, judicial process, or law and society.Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals.

• Chapter 1: Judges as Policymakers Part One: Theories of Judicial BehaviorChapter 2: The Attitudinal ModelChapter 3: The Legal ModelChapter 4: The Strategic ModelPart Two: Judges in American PoliticsChapter 5: Judicial Selection and RetentionChapter 6: Courts and the Public Chapter 7: The Impact of Courts