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Why has the number of requests for Supreme Court review increased since World War II?

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A person ascends the steps of the west facade of the United States Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C., with its tall columns and a round fountain in the foreground. — Supreme Court of the United States The west facade of the U.S. Supreme Court building, Washington, D.C.

Since World War II, the number of certiorari requests—petitions for the Supreme Court to review a lower-court ruling—has increased approximately fivefold. This rise is attributed to several key factors:1

Population Growth: The expansion of the U.S. population has naturally led to an increase in legal disputes.1
Litigious Culture: The country has developed a progressively more litigious legal culture, where individuals and entities are more inclined to seek judicial resolution for their grievances.1
Governmental Demands: There has been a significant surge in the demands placed on the government by citizens, leading to more legal challenges involving federal actions and policies.1

While the volume of these requests has grown, it is important to note that the actual number of cases decided by the Supreme Court has declined since the mid-20th century, as the justices have chosen to hear fewer cases per salient issue area.1