The Supreme Court’s Role in Dividing America: Civil Rights, Corporate Power, and Elections
The Supreme Court has always played a crucial role in shaping American society, but over the past two decades, its decisions have increasingly contributed to political polarization. Since Chief Justice John Roberts took the helm in 2005, the Court’s rulings have expanded corporate power, restricted civil rights protections, and reshaped election laws—creating a judicial landscape that fuels division rather than unity.
Corporate Power and the Court: Citizens United and Beyond
One of the most consequential rulings of the Roberts Court came in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission(2010). This decision dismantled decades of campaign finance restrictions by ruling that corporations and unions could spend unlimited amounts on elections, arguing that such expenditures constituted protected speech under the First Amendment.
The immediate result? A flood of corporate and dark money into politics. Wealthy donors gained an outsized influence over elections, drowning out the voices of everyday Americans. Rather than promoting democracy, this ruling has deepened the public’s distrust in the political system, reinforcing the belief that the government serves the interests of the rich and powerful over ordinary citizens.
The Court has also consistently ruled in favor of corporations in cases related to consumer protections, labor rights, and environmental regulations. In Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis (2018), for example, the Court upheld forced arbitration clauses, making it harder for workers to sue employers for unfair labor practices. These decisions have steadily weakened protections for working Americans while empowering corporate elites.
Civil Rights Under Attack
The Roberts Court has also taken aim at civil rights protections, particularly in voting rights, affirmative action, and LGBTQ+ rights. In Shelby County v. Holder (2013), the Court struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, removing federal oversight of states with histories of voter suppression. The decision emboldened states to enact restrictive voting laws, including voter ID requirements, polling place closures, and purges of voter rolls—disproportionately affecting Black, Latino, and Indigenous voters.
More recently, in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (2023), the Court ruled against race-conscious admissions policies, gutting affirmative action and making it more difficult for universities to maintain diversity. This decision, celebrated by conservatives, ignored the ongoing racial disparities in education and economic opportunity.
On LGBTQ+ rights, the Court has sent mixed signals. While Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) legalized same-sex marriage, later rulings, such as 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis (2023), have allowed businesses to deny services to LGBTQ+ individuals under the guise of free speech. These rulings create legal loopholes for discrimination, rolling back progress on civil rights.
Elections and the Erosion of Democracy
In addition to Citizens United and Shelby County, the Supreme Court has repeatedly intervened in ways that undermine fair elections. In Rucho v. Common Cause (2019), the Court ruled that federal courts could not police partisan gerrymandering, giving state legislatures a free hand to manipulate district maps in favor of one party. The result? Highly partisan, uncompetitive elections where politicians choose their voters rather than the other way around.
The Court has also played a role in election disputes, most notably in Bush v. Gore (2000), which effectively decided a presidential election. More recently, its decision not to intervene in post-2020 election cases allowed states to continue imposing restrictive voting laws based on baseless claims of voter fraud. This has fed the narrative that elections are rigged—eroding trust in democracy itself.
A Court That Divides Rather Than Unites
The Supreme Court’s rulings under Roberts have disproportionately benefited corporations and conservative interests while rolling back civil rights and democratic protections. These decisions haven’t just shaped policy—they have deepened the political and cultural divides that define America today. When laws make it harder to vote, easier for the wealthy to dominate elections, and more difficult to protect marginalized communities, democracy suffers.
If the Supreme Court continues down this path, the question is no longer whether its decisions will shape the nation but whether the nation can withstand the impact. The fight for civil rights, fair elections, and economic justice may not find refuge in the courts—but it remains alive in the voices of those who refuse to accept an America that only serves the powerful.