Race and RepresentationGeorgia Anne Persons The National Political Science Review is the official publication of the National Conference of Black Political Scientists. This series, now entering its sixth volume, includes significant scholarly research reflecting the diverse interests of scholars from various backgrounds who use different models, approaches, and methodologies. The central focus is on politics and policies that advantage or disadvantage groups because of race, ethnicity, gender, and other major variables. Race and Representation is anchored by a symposium that focuses on efforts to enhance representation of African Americans in legislative bodies under the authority of the historic Voting Rights Act of 1965, and on recent court challenges to the constitutionality of redistricting plans drawn under that act. The chapters constitute an extension of an ongoing and protracted, highly charged, public debate. In her introduction, Georgia A. Persons discusses how recent Supreme Court rulings, such as in Shaw v. Reno, Miller v. Johnson, and Bush v. Vera, have significantly redefined the meaning and permissible parameters of the Voting Rights Act. She affirms that they have also strongly posited, albeit somewhat indirectly, a legal meaning of representation that is at variance with the more broadly philosophical meaning of representation grounded in the ideal of enhancing equality among different groups in a society. The articles in Race and Representation are refreshingly informative. They include case studies written by political scientists who became involved directly with events surrounding the theme of this volume. A new section, "Reflections," is introduced; it will be reserved for commentary and analysis of an issue that captures the political spirit of the times. In the inaugural contribution, J. Owens Smith reflects on the assault on liberal philosophy as a foundation for civil rights claims and offers an alternative philosophical prism for viewing and justifying such claims. This volume is essential for political scientists, African American studies specialists, and scholars interested in law and government. |
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1991 Redistricting African African-American African-American political American Political Science analysis argues Asian behavior black community black nation black political black population black voters candidates census challenge city council coalition congressional district County cumulative voting decision demographic desegregation economic elections electoral essays ethnic Farrakhan federal Georgia GLBC Grofman groups Hispanic important incumbents individual interest issues James Karlan Latinos leaders leadership legislature liberal Louis Farrakhan majority black districts majority-minority majority-minority districts ment methodological individualism mill levy Million Man March minority voting multiracial Nation of Islam organizations party percent black percentage Political Science Political Science Review race racial rational choice reapportionment redistricting Redistricting Project reform Republican Sacramento school desegregation seats senate Shaw social socioeconomic strategy Supreme Court Table theory tion tradition tricts University Press variables Virginia vote dilution Voting Rights Act Washington white Democrats York