The Paradox of Representation Racial Gerrymandering and Minority Interests in Congress / David Lublin.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lublin, David, 1968-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Hispanic American legislators.

Gerrymandering.

Election districts.

African American legislators.

Election districts--United States.

Gerrymandering--United States.

United States.

United States. Congress. House.

United States. Congress. House--Election districts.

Local Subjects:

United States. Congress. House--Election districts.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (180 pages) : illustrations

Edition:

1st pbk. ed.

Place of Publication:

Princeton, N.J. : Princeton University Press, 1999, 1997.

Summary:

In The Paradox of Representation David Lublin offers an unprecedented analysis of a vast range of rigorous, empirical evidence that exposes the central paradox of racial representation: Racial redistricting remains vital to the election of African Americans and Latinos but makes Congress less likely to adopt policies favored by blacks. Lublin's evidence, together with policy recommendations for improving minority representation, will make observers of the political scene reconsider the avenues to fair representation. Using data on all representatives elected to Congress between 1972 and 1994, Lublin examines the link between the racial composition of a congressional district and its representative's race as well as ideology. The author confirms the view that specially drawn districts must exist to ensure the election of African Americans and Latinos. He also shows, however, that a relatively small number of minorities in a district can lead to the election of a representative attentive to their interests. When African Americans and Latinos make up 40 percent of a district, according to Lublin's findings, they have a strong liberalizing influence on representatives of both parties; when they make up 55 percent, the district is almost certain to elect a minority representative. Lublin notes that particularly in the South, the practice of concentrating minority populations into a small number of districts decreases the liberal influence in the remaining areas. Thus, a handful of minority representatives, almost invariably Democrats, win elections, but so do a greater number of conservative Republicans. The author proposes that establishing a balance between majority-minority districts and districts where the minority population would be slightly more dispersed, making up 40 percent of a total district, would allow more African Americans to exercise more influence over their representatives.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES

PREFACE

ONE Introduction

PART I: BLACK AND LATINO DESCRIPTIVE REPRESENTATION

TWO The History of Black and Latino Representation

THREE The Election of Black and Latino Representatives

PART II: BLACK AND LATINO SUBSTANTIVE REPRESENTATION

FOUR African-American and Latino Representation

FIVE Race and Representation

SIX Racial Redistricting and Public Policy

SEVEN The Outlook for the Future

NOTES

REFERENCES

INDEX

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [147]-153) and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780691010106

0691010102

9780691221397

0691221391

OCLC:

1273306696