Super-Dissenters

An overview of adjudication by the Supreme Court reveals three phenomena. In the 1976 term, unanimous decisions switch from being decidedly liberal to even, and in 1990, they switch to greater frequency. Also, during the 1970s and 1980s, the Supreme Court displays greater complexity of coalition formation. The departures of Justice Douglas in the first case, and of Justices Brennan and Marshall in the last two, have explanatory power.

A look back at pre-WWII data indicates both changes are in the direction of returning to older patterns.