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Toward a Strategic Revolution in Judicial Politics: A Look Back, A Look Ahead

Publication ,  Journal Article
Epstein, L; Knight, J
Published in: Political Research Quarterly
2000

As papers presented at recent disciplinary conferences and articles published in major political science journals reveal, the field of judicial politics is undergoing a sea change. Variants of the social-psychological paradigm, which have long dominated thinking about law and courts, are giving way to approaches grounded in assumptions in rationality. More to the point, ever-growing numbers of scholars are now invoking the strategic account to understand judicial politics. In what follows, we investigate this "strategic revolution." We begin by providing an intellectual history of the field, with special emphasis on why judicial specialists resisted strategic analysis for so long and why they are now (re)turning to it in ever-increasing numbers. Next, we consider the ways that analysts have begun to put the strategic account to work. This is an important task, for debates are already emerging over the "best" way to invoke the account to study judicial politics. We take the position that there is no one "right" way but rather four different approaches—all of which have the potential to provide us with important insights into law and courts.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Political Research Quarterly

DOI

ISSN

1065-9129

Publication Date

2000

Volume

53

Issue

3

Start / End Page

625 / 661

Related Subject Headings

  • Political Science & Public Administration
  • 4408 Political science
  • 1606 Political Science
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Epstein, L., & Knight, J. (2000). Toward a Strategic Revolution in Judicial Politics: A Look Back, A Look Ahead. Political Research Quarterly, 53(3), 625–661. https://doi.org/10.2307/449201
Epstein, L., and J. Knight. “Toward a Strategic Revolution in Judicial Politics: A Look Back, A Look Ahead.” Political Research Quarterly 53, no. 3 (2000): 625–61. https://doi.org/10.2307/449201.
Epstein L, Knight J. Toward a Strategic Revolution in Judicial Politics: A Look Back, A Look Ahead. Political Research Quarterly. 2000;53(3):625–61.
Epstein, L., and J. Knight. “Toward a Strategic Revolution in Judicial Politics: A Look Back, A Look Ahead.” Political Research Quarterly, vol. 53, no. 3, 2000, pp. 625–61. Manual, doi:10.2307/449201.
Epstein L, Knight J. Toward a Strategic Revolution in Judicial Politics: A Look Back, A Look Ahead. Political Research Quarterly. 2000;53(3):625–661.
Journal cover image

Published In

Political Research Quarterly

DOI

ISSN

1065-9129

Publication Date

2000

Volume

53

Issue

3

Start / End Page

625 / 661

Related Subject Headings

  • Political Science & Public Administration
  • 4408 Political science
  • 1606 Political Science