In the long run, the Supreme Court leads public opinion on controversial issues

It has always been a matter of debate if Supreme Court rulings consolidate opposition to an issue or lead to greater public acceptance of it. Using a statistical model of the American “policy mood” after major rulings, Joseph Ura finds that, while there may be a short-term backlash immediately after a decision, public opinion in the long run tends to follow the position adopted by the Supreme Court. Because of this, he writes, the Supreme Court may ultimately be able to shape the broader political climate in the United States.