Can Policies Affect Preferences? Evidence from random variation in abortion jurisprudence

Daniel L. Chen, Vardges Levonyan and Susan Yeh
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Daniel L. Chen: TSE-R - Toulouse School of Economics - UT Capitole - Université Toulouse Capitole - Comue de Toulouse - Communauté d'universités et établissements de Toulouse - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, IAST - Institute for Advanced Study in Toulouse
Vardges Levonyan: UZH - Universität Zürich [Zürich] = University of Zurich
Susan Yeh: Charles River Associates Inc, Washington

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Abstract: Turning to the courts to vindicate rights has often led to resistance and subsequent acceptance. This paper investigates the effects of randomly assigned judges on abortion cases on subsequent legislative actions and shifts in public attitudes in the United States from 1971 to 2004. By examining comprehensive data from appellate and district abortion cases, our analysis reveals three primary findings. First, verdicts in abortion cases are significantly influenced by the judges' biographies. Second, precedents that oppose abortion tend to stimulate legislative actions aimed at restricting access to abortion services. Third, public opinion exhibits a temporary shift against legalized abortion following pro-abortion rulings, particularly in the context of elective abortions. These shifts suggest a pattern of initial resistance followed by gradual acceptance. In general terms, these results contribute towards identifying the origin of norms as a function of judicial decisions.

Keywords: Norms; Abortion; Expressive law; Backlash (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-law
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Published in Scandinavian Journal of Economics, 2025, 127 (4), pp.880-911. ⟨10.1111/sjoe.12586⟩

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05582254

DOI: 10.1111/sjoe.12586

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