01.01.2023
Chapter
The Dobbs decision of the U.S. Supreme Court and its institutional consequences
Abstract
On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a pivotal decision on abortion rights in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. It declared Roe v. Wade, which had constitutionally guaranteed a right to abortion for nearly fifty years, no longer applicable(overruled). So June 24 was a dark day for women’s rights, but also a dark day for constitutional law and constitutional jurisdiction in the United States. With Dobbs, the Supreme Court has not only bowed out of the international debate, but also jeopardized its acceptance within the USA. It is questionable whether the Court will be able to recover from the resulting loss of importance, but given the current line-up, this is unlikely for decades to come.
