Doctors and Demonstrators : How Political Institutions Shape Abortion Law in the United States, Britain, and Canada

Since __Roe v. Wade__, abortion has continued to be a divisive political issue in the United States. In contrast, it has remained primarily a medical issue in Britain and Canada despite the countries’ shared heritage. __Doctors and Demonstrators__ looks beyond simplistic cultural or religious explanations to find out why abortion politics and policies differ so dramatically in these otherwise similar countries.Drew Halfmann argues that political institutions are the key. In the United States, federalism, judicial review, and a private health care system contributed to the public definition of abortion as an individual right rather than a medical necessity. Meanwhile, Halfmann explains, the porous structure of American political parties gave pro-choice and pro-life groups the opportunity to move the issue onto the political agenda. A groundbreaking study of the complex legal and political factors behind the evolution of abortion policy, __Doctors and Demonstrators__ will be vital for anyone trying to understand this contentious issue. Since Roe V. Wade, Abortion Has Continued To Be A Divisive Political Issue In The United States. In Contrast, It Has Remained Primarily A Medical Issue In Britain And Canada Despite The Countries' Shared Heritage. Doctors And Demonstrators Looks Beyond Simplistic Cultural Or Religious Explanations To Find Out Why Abortion Politics And Policies Differ So Dramatically In These Otherwise Similar Countries. Drew Halfmann Argues That Political Institutions Are The Key. In The United States, Federalism, Judicial Review, And A Private Health Care System Contributed To The Public Definition Of Abortion As An Individual Right Rather Than A Medical Necessity. Meanwhile, Halfmann Explains, The Porous Structure Of American Political Parties Gave Pro-choice And Pro-life Groups The Opportunity To Move The Issue Onto The Political Agenda. A Groundbreaking Study Of The Complex Legal And Political Factors Behind The Evolution Of Abortion Policy, Doctors And Demonstrators Will Be Vital For Anyone Trying To Understand This Contentious Issue--provided By Publisher. Abortion Reforms Of The Long 1960s -- The Reforms And Their Roots -- Medical Interests And Priorities -- After Reform -- Abortion Services -- The Politicization Of Abortion -- Policy Change After Reform -- Political Institutions And Abortion Policy -- Appendix 1. Statements On Abortion In American Party Platforms, 1972-2008 -- Appendix 2. U.s. Supreme Court Cases On Abortion -- Appendix 3. Abortion Attitudes In The United States And Britain -- Appendix 4. Abortion Funding And Provision In The United States, Britain, And Canada, 1970s-2000s -- Appendix 5. Abortion Attitudes In The United States, Britain, And Canada, 1975-2004. Drew Halfmann. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Since Roe versus Wade, abortion has been a continually divisive political issue in the United States. This title looks beyond simplistic cultural or religious explanations to find out why abortion politics and policies differ so dramatically in these otherwise similar countries. It argues that political institutions are the key.