Low Price Guarantee
We Take School POs
African Americans and the Politics of Congressional Redistricting
Contributor(s): Clayton, Dewey M. (Author)

View larger image

ISBN: 0815334559     ISBN-13: 9780815334552
Publisher: Routledge
OUR PRICE: $152.00  

Binding Type: Hardcover - See All Available Formats & Editions
Published: December 1999
Qty:

Annotation: Majority black districts are necessary to ensure the equitable representation of African Americans. These districts are under attack today by conservative scholars and a conservative United States Supreme Court. Critics of race-conscious congressional districting argue that blacks can win election from majority white districts. Factors such as continued racial segregation, the existence of racial bloc voting by whites, and lack of minority success absent race-conscious remedies, however, provide strong evidence that the case for majority black districts remains compelling.
The books provides a detailed analysis of the politics of racial redistricting, a topic of particular concern in light of recent federal court cases. The book is divided into two parts. Part one examines the historical exclusion of blacks from the American political process and the politics behind congressional redistricting. Investigation of the politics behind redistricting, focusing on partisan maneuvering, assesses whose interests were being served. In particular, the book chronicles the legislative action (creation of majority black districts) in North Carolina and around the South.
Part two shifts the focus to the myriad of legal battles that ensued as a result of the newly created districts in North Carolina and around the South. Majority black districts are being dismantled the Supreme Court because of criticism of their shape and because race was considered a predominant factor in their design. Irregularly shaped majority white districts have not been accused of violating districting principles. Furthermore, the fact that blacks were not elected to national office in large numbers prior to thecreation of majority black districts indicates the continuing need for race-conscious districting as a temporary solution to a complex problem.
Additional Information
BISAC Categories:
- Political Science | American Government - Legislative Branch
- Social Science | Ethnic Studies - African American Studies
Dewey: 328.730
LCCN: 99049527
Physical Information: 0.66" H x 5.58" W x 9" L (0.78 lbs) 226 pages
Themes:
- Ethnic Orientation - African American
Review Citations: Choice 01/01/2001 pg. 985
 
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
Publisher Description:
This book provides a detailed analysis of the politics of racial redistricting, a topic of particular concern in light of recent federal court cases. The book is divided into two parts. Part one examines the historical exclusion of blacks from the American political process and the politics behind congressional redistricting. The text focuses on partisan manoeuvering and assesses whose interests were being served. In particular, the book chronicles the legislative action (creation of majority black districts) in North Carolina and around the South. Part two shifts the focus to the myriad of legal battles that ensued as a result of the newly-created districts in North Carolina and around the South. Majority black districts have been dismantled in the Supreme Court. This has been due to the criticism of their arbitrary shape, and the notion that race was considered a predominant fact or in their design. Yet, irregularly-shaped majority white districts have not been accused of violating districting principles. This book purports that blacks were not elected to national office in large numbers prior to the creation of majority black districts, indicating the continuing need for race-conscious districting as a temporary solution to a complex problem.
 
Customer ReviewsSubmit your own review
 
To tell a friend about this book, you must Sign In First!