Inquiry - language in Scotus opinions

[Helen Knowles]

Hello all:

With apologies to those on the Law-Courts list who received this request 10
days ago.

I feel as though there must be an obvious body of literature out there on
this subject that I simply cannot locate...I am looking for recommendations
of significant readings discussing the influence (political, legal,
societal, etc.) of U.S. Supreme Court justices' usage of specific
phrases/terms/language in their opinions. Specifically, I am interested in
discussions about the effects on the legitimacy (however that might be
defined) of opinions (increased or decreased legitimacy) when they use broad
concepts (such as dignity) without constitutional textual bases to support
specific interpretations of rights that are enumerated.

Obvious and not so obvious recommendations are all welcome. Off-list
responses please.

Thanks in advance, and happy new year to all,

Helen

--
Helen J. Knowles
Assistant Professor of Political Science
State University of New York at Oswego
439 Mahar Hall
Oswego
NY 13126-3599

Office:  (315) 312-3453
E-mail:  h.j.knowles at gmail.com
Website:  www.helenjknowles.com
View my research on my SSRN Author page: http://ssrn.com/author=657261

---

"The law is what we live with. Justice is sometimes harder to achieve."
(Sherlock Holmes (Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventure of the Red Circle))
 Reply

 Forward
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.ucla.edu/pipermail/conlawprof/attachments/20100111/f2c9724b/attachment.htm>