Thoroughly grounded in the latest scholarly literature, theoretical sources, and experimental results, "Legacy and Legitimacy" substantially advances understanding of Black Americans' attitudes toward the Supreme Court, the Court's ability to influence Blacks' opinions about the legitimacy of public institutions and policies, and the role of media in shaping Blacks' judgments. Drawing on legitimacy theory - which explains the acceptance of or tolerance for controversial policies - the authors begin by re-examining the significance of 'diffuse support' in establishing legitimacy. They provide...

This is the first comprehensive examination of Black Americans' attitudes toward the Supreme Court.