Research Committee for Comparative Judicial Studies

The Research Committee for Comparative Judicial Studies promotes scholarly work on law, courts, and judicial processes from a comparative perspective and seeks to bring the study of the various dimensions of judicial systems within the mainstream of comparative political research.

Their purpose is to promote scholarly work on law, courts, and judicial processes from a comparative perspective, i.e., one that seeks to explain similarities and differences within various countries. This entails analyses of the various components of the judicial process--the legal profession, the judiciary, courts (as institutions), legal doctrines, legal cultures, etc.--and how these components relate to other political institutions: executives, legislatures, political parties, constitutions, federalism, political culture, etc.

Ultimately, we seek to bring the study of the various dimensions of judicial systems within the mainstream of comparative political research.

RC #9 encourages comparative research on judicial systems and the participation of scholars in our program regardless of the disciplinary origins and commitments of those who do the research.

Project Collaborator(s): Brynn Thompson, Michael Tolley