First Advisor

Chris Shortell

Date of Award

Summer 6-13-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Political Science and University Honors

Department

Politics and Global Affairs

Language

English

Subjects

supreme court, legitimacy, diffuse support, specific support, institutional support, dobbs

DOI

10.15760/honors.1739

Abstract

This thesis examines the impact of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision on public perceptions of the Supreme Court's legitimacy. Over the two decades preceding Dobbs, the Roberts Court had already become the center of intense debate over judicial impartiality, driven by an increasingly politicized series of high-profile rulings. Dobbs generated an unprecedented level of media attention and partisan commentary. Employing a mixed-methods approach, this study combines longitudinal analysis of national survey data on trust and confidence in the Court with content analysis of editorial and scholarly reactions before and after June 2022. Findings reveal a statistically significant decline in perceived impartiality and legal neutrality following Dobbs. This research demonstrates how intensified politicization of the judiciary and high-stakes rulings can erode institutional legitimacy, offering broader implications for the health of constitutional democracy and the future of judicial review.

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Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/44087

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