Abortion, the great moral, legal and political controversy of our generation is analyzed in the context of its effects on American political institutions. The authors, both public law scholars, reveal how abortion issues have changed the American presidency, the Congress, the courts, interest groups, and state politics. The discussion of the evolution of the abortion issue includes analyses of the Roe v Wade decision of 22 January 1973 and Webster v Reproductive Health Services decision. It traces the history of these Supreme Court decision and reveals the pivotal role they have played in the legal and political history of abortion in the United States.