美國墮胎權的憲政爭議：Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization判決與影響評析

The Constitutional Controversy of Abortion Rights in the United States: An Analysis of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and Its Implications

2022年6月24日，美國聯邦最高法院於Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization訴訟，以墮胎權並非美國既有憲政秩序為由，在6比3的票數下，推翻了兩案創立與鞏固墮胎權之判例－Roe v. Wade（1973）與Planned Parenthood v. Casey（1992），否認憲法上保障墮胎權與潛在生命權的法源，將墮胎權的爭議重新回到公民社會與立法機關。此項判決引來諸多美國民眾反對的聲浪，許多州立即試圖通過嚴格禁止墮胎之法令；面對保守州政府的立法，聯邦國會也試圖通過保障墮胎權之法案，呈現州政府—聯邦政府、保守派—自由派相互對立的局面，皆顯示了該判決結果對於美國社會產生立即且明顯的影響。本文透過案例分析，從多數意見書、部分同意見書、少數意見書中，分析大法官的正反意見，並輔以若干民意調查中心的研究數據，試圖探究以下兩點：首先，推翻Roe v. Wade判決（墮胎權之廢除）是否影響美國政黨政治的認同、強化政治極化與加劇社會分歧；其次，Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization判決後對於美國憲政慣例的影響。本文認為，之所以做成這項判決，這是因為美國社會對於墮胎權的分歧對立，且在長期政黨政治極化競爭下，所產生之司法運作結果。其次，該判決不僅激起聯邦和地方政府的緊張關係，而且對於美國民眾影響深遠，甚至左右了2022年底期中選舉選民的投票抉擇，其後續效應仍有待觀察。

On June 24, 2022, the United States Supreme Court ruled in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. With a 6-3 majority vote, the court overturned the precedents established by Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992), arguing that the right to abortion does not exist within the constitutional framework of the United States. This decision rejected the constitutional basis for protecting the right to abortion and the potential right to life, returning the abortion rights debate to civil society and state legislatures. The case sparked significant opposition and protests among many American citizens. Several states quickly enacted strict abortion bans while Congress attempted to pass legislation to safeguard abortion rights. This presented a scenario of conflict between the federal and state governments, as well as between conservative and liberal groups. This phenomenon highlighted the immediate and pronounced impact of the case on American society. Through an analysis of this case, this study examines the majority opinion, concurring opinions, and dissenting opinions of the justices. It delves into their arguments and conclusions regarding the continuation of abortion rights. This study also explores the legislative history of abortion rights and incorporates public opinion data from various polling organizations. It seeks to investigate two main issues: whether overturning Roe v. Wade will affect the identification with political parties, exacerbate political polarization, and deepen social divisions in American politics, and whether Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization affects the customary practices of the American constitution. We argue that the decision was due to the profound societal division over abortion rights in the United States and the resulting judicial outcomes in prolonged political polarization. It indeed influenced the voting choices of voters in the 2022 midterm elections, and its subsequent effects are still being observed.