It was during his undergraduate years at Clark University that Jonathan Hack ’09 realized he wanted to understand the processes and behind-the-scenes conversations that lead to judicial decisions. Hack, now director of content & strategy for the Justice, Health, and Democracy Impact Initiative out of Harvard University, followed that curiosity and got a Ph.D. focused on American politics, specifically judicial behavior and decision-making. In this episode, Hack shares insight into the general categories that influence judicial decision-making and the balance needed for “good judging.” The conversation comes as the country waits for a Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, following a rare leak of a draft opinion.

We want to note that views expressed by Hack in this episode are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the president and fellows of Harvard.

During this episode, Hack referenced the books “Crafting Law on the Supreme Court” by Forrest Maltzman, James F. Spriggs, Paul J. Wahlbeck and “How Judges Think” by Richard A. Posner.

Learn more about political science at Clark