Privacy and Politics

Examines the historical development of the public/private dichotomy in present-day American politics and society. By studying landmark Supreme Court decisions, we explore the ways that claims to rights to privacy have affected women, gays and lesbians, racial minorities, children, and other historically disadvantaged groups. In addition, by focusing on the ways that technological developments have both inspired and undermined efforts to preserve personal privacy, we question whether individual claims to privacy can be met within the context of present-day political, economic, and social reality.