African Americans and the Politics of Congressional Redistricting / Edition 1

by Dewey M. Clayton

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780815334552
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/01/1999
Series:	Race and Politics , #2
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	226
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dewey M. Clayton

Table of Contents

Preface, Acknowledgments, Tables and Figures, Chapter 1. Introduction, Part I. Politics of Exclusion and Politics of Congressional Redistricting, Chapter 2. History of the Exclusion of Blacks from the American Political Process, Chapter 3. Pander, Slander, Gerrymander, Chapter 4. Redistricting, Round Two: North Carolina Legislators Are Required to Create a Second Majority-Minority District, Part II. Court Litigation Surrounding Redistricting and Standards of Congressional Redistricting, Chapter 5. Legal Issues Surrounding North Carolina’s Redistricting Process, Chapter 6. Subsequent Court Challenges in the South, Chapter 7 Standards of Congressional Redistricting, Chapter 8 Calculating Compactness in North Carolina Plans, Chapter 9 Conclusion: The Case for Majority Black Districts Remains Compelling, Bibliography, Index

Editorial Reviews

"...this book will be of interest to a broad range of readers who are looking for a good overview of the central debates and concepts concerning racial redistricting - David Canon, Law and Politics Book Review."
"Clayton makes a clear argument in support of redistricting plans that ensure black representation... Upper-division undergraduate collections. Choice, January 2001, Vol. 38, No. 3."

From the Publisher