Blog Post #2: The Supreme Court's Influence on American Democracy

The United States Supreme Court consists of nine justices and is considered one of the most powerful judicial bodies in the world. Prior to watching the videos, I had the understanding that the Court interprets the Constitution and decides important legal disputes. However, I learned that the Court's true power is not founded solely on the Constitution. As the Videos explained, its legitimacy comes from the Constitution, but its power essentially resides in the faith and trust of the American people. This idea changed the way I thought about the Supreme Court and helped me better understand its true role in the American government. 

One thing I learned that I did not previously know was how much the Court had transformed throughout history. The Videos talked about how in 1801, the Supreme Court had moved into temporary quarters in the unfinished Capitol building and how Chief Justice John Marshall altered the Court into being a co-equal branch of the government through the landmark case Marbury v. Madison. By instituting judicial review, the Court declared the authority to strike down acts of Congress that violated the Constitution. I was also extremely interested in the Dred Scott v. Sandford case. A decision that ruled Congress could not ban slavery and that African Americans could never be considered citizens. The video described this ruling as the Court's "great self-inflicted wound." This shows how even the Supreme Court can damage its own credibility. 

The most important takeaway from the video is the importance of public trust. Justice Stephen Breyer stated, "once confirmed, all of us are primarily responsible to the law and to this institution and to our own conscience." The Supreme Court has no protection and no ability to truly enforce its own decisions. Instead, as Justice David Souter illustrated: "The power of the Court is the power of trust earned, the trust of the American people." Without that sense of trust, then the Court's authority would be weakened. 

One of the most surprising things I learned was how the justices truly make decisions. Oral arguments are not just presentations by attorneys. Justice Anthony Kennedy explained that the court is essentially "having a conversation with itself through the intermediary of the attorney." I was amazed to learn how much discussion, revision, compromise, and negotiation actually happens prior to an opinion being finalized. Opinions may be rewritten over and over again, and justices ever so often change their votes during the lengthy process. 

Overall, these videos changed the way I thought about the Supreme Court. I formerly viewed it as a group of judges voting on cases, but in reality it is an institution that constantly juggles history, law, precedent, and public trust. The Supreme Court's decisions affect everything ranging from civil rights to criminal procedures, and its influence expands far beyond the courtroom. Most of all, I walked away with a better understanding of the Supreme Court as well as a larger appreciation for the responsibility placed upon the justices and the importance of upholding public confidence in the rule of law.