election. but it was just a highly visible example. the court has been becoming more idealogically predictable that is particularly partisan in recent years. judges appointed by republicans now almost always rule in ways that republicans want them to. and ditto for judges appointed by democrats. it s all part of the hyper polarization of american life. but it s also partly because of the strange way that america s highest court is structured. it might surprise you to know that no other major democracy gives members of its highest court life tenure. most western countries have fixed terms and mandatory retirement ages. 68 in germany. 75 in britain. 75 in canada. germany gives its constitutional court judges a 12-year term. as do some other democracies. the american system of selection