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Preferred term

public opinion about the courts  

Definition

  • The study of public opinion about the courts is closely tied to concerns that date back to the Constitutional Convention. Then, and subsequently, it has been noted that while the executive branch has the power of the sword and the legislative branch the power of the purse, for compliance with its orders, the judiciary uniquely must rely on the public's belief in its legitimacy.Public opinion today about the U.S. Supreme Court is different from public opinion about the other, “lower” courts; the U.S. Supreme Court enjoys consistently higher levels of confidence, support, and loyalty. [Source: Encyclopedia of Psychology and Law; Public Opinion About the Courts]

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URI

https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/public_opinion_about_the_courts

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