The New Politics of North Carolina

by Christopher A. Cooper (Editor), H. Gibbs Knotts (Editor)

Overview

Political scientist V. O. Key in 1949 described North Carolina as a “progressive plutocracy.” He argued that in the areas of industrial development, public education, and race relations, North Carolina appeared progressive when compared to other southern states. Reconsidering Key’s evaluation nearly sixty years later, contributors to this volume find North Carolina losing ground as a progressive leader in the South. The “new politics” of the state involves a combination of new and old: new opportunities and challenges have forced the state to change, but the old culture still remains a powerful force.

In the eleven essays collected here, leading scholars of North Carolina politics offer a systematic analysis of North Carolina’s politics and policy, placed in the context of its own history as well as the politics and policies of other states. Topics discussed include the evolution of politics and political institutions; the roles of governors, the judicial branch, interest groups, and party systems; and the part played by economic development and environmental policy. Contributors also address how geography affects politics within the state, region, and nation. Designed with students and interested citizens in mind, this collection provides an excellent introduction to contemporary North Carolina politics and government.

Contributors:
Hunter Bacot, Elon University
Christopher A. Cooper, Western Carolina University
Thomas F. Eamon, East Carolina University
Jack D. Fleer, Wake Forest University
Dennis O. Grady, Appalachian State University
Ferrel Guillory, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Sean Hildebrand, Western Carolina University
Jonathan Kanipe, Town Manager, Catawba, North Carolina
H. Gibbs Knotts, Western Carolina University
Adam J. Newmark, Appalachian State University
Charles Prysby, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Ruth Ann Strickland, Appalachian State University
James H. Svara, Arizona State University
Timothy Vercellotti, Rutgers University

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781469606583
Publisher:	The University of North Carolina Press
Publication date:	09/01/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	328
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Christopher A. Cooper is MPA director and assistant professor of political science and public affairs at Western Carolina University. H. Gibbs Knotts is department chair and professor of political science at the College of Charleston.
H. Gibbs Knotts is department head and associate professor of political science and public affairs at Western Carolina University.

Table of Contents

Preface     xi
Introduction: Traditionalism and Progressivism in North Carolina   Christopher A. Cooper   H. Gibbs Knotts     1
Citizens and Context
The Seeds of Modern North Carolina Politics   Thomas F. Eamon     15
How Southern Is the Old North State?: Public Opinion in North Carolina   Timothy Vercellotti     38
Linkage Institutions
The Reshaping of the Political Party System in North Carolina   Charles Prysby     61
Interest Groups and Lobbying in North Carolina: Density, Diversity, and Regulation   Adam J. Newmark     85
Mass Media in North Carolina Politics: Watchdog Mutes Its Bark   Ferrel Guillory     106
Governmental Institutions
North Carolina Governors: From Campaigning to Governing   Jack D. Fleer     125
The People's Branch: Reassessing the N.C. General Assembly   Christopher A. Cooper     152
North Carolina's Judicial System: The Forgotten Branch of Government   Ruth Ann Strickland     175
Conflict or Cooperation?: Local Governments, Intergovernmental Relations, and Federalism in North Carolina   Sean Hildebrand   James H. Svara     204
Public Policy
Environmental Politics in the Tar Heel State: An Ambivalent Legacy   Dennis O. Grady   JonathanKanipe     239
Education in the Tar Heel State: Public Elementary, Secondary, and Higher Education in North Carolina   Hunter Bacot     272
Conclusion: Rethinking Progressivism and Governance in North Carolina   Christopher A. Cooper   H. Gibbs Knotts     294
Contributors     305
Index     309

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“An interesting and cohesive analysis of the current state of the state’s public life.” — NC Historical Review

“This volume is a valuable addition to the scholarly literature on North Carolina government and politics and is an essential text for students interested in the politics of the state.” — William V. Moore, College of Charleston

“This is a very fine collection. All the authors of the individual chapters have experience teaching and researching in the Old North State. They have a very solid understanding of the state, its politics, and how certain things operate.” — Thad L. Beyle, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Editorial Reviews

“Provides a useful overview for scholars of contemporary politics and is especially serviceable as a supplemental text for those who teach political science in North Carolina.” — Journal of Southern History

From the Publisher