Two Reconstructions - The Struggle for Black Enfranchisement

Winner of the 2005 J. David Greenstone Book Award from the Politics and History section of the American Political Science Association. Winner of the 2005 Ralph J. Bunche Award of the American Political Science Association
Winner of the 2005 V.O. Key, Jr. Award of the Southern Political Science Association
The Reconstruction era marked a huge political leap for African Americans, who rapidly went from the status of slaves to voters and officeholders. Yet this hard-won progress lasted only a few decades. Ultimately a "second reconstruction"--associated with the civil rights movement and the Voting Rights Act--became necessary.
How did the first reconstruction fail so utterly, setting the stage for the complete disenfranchisement of Southern black voters, and why did the second succeed? These are among the questions Richard M. Valelly answers in this fascinating history. The fate of black enfranchisement, he argues, has been closely intertwined with the strengths and constraints of our political institutions. Valelly shows how effective biracial coalitions have been the key to success and incisively traces how and why political parties and the national courts either rewarded or discouraged the formation of coalitions.
Revamping our understanding of American race relations, "The Two Reconstructions" brilliantly explains a puzzle that lies at the heart of Americas development as a political democracy.

A propos de l'auteur

Richard M. Valelly is professor of political science at Swarthmore College. He is author of "Radicalism in the States," published by the University of Chicago Press, and his essays have appeared in the "New Republic" and the "American Prospect."

Détails du produit

• Auteurs: Richard M. Valelly, Valelly Richard M.
• Edition: University Of Chicago Press
• Langues: Anglais
• Format d'édition: Livre Relié
• Sortie: 01.10.2004
• EAN: 9780226845289
• ISBN: 978-0-226-84528-9
• Pages: 348
• Dimensions: 159 mm x 229 mm x 32 mm
• Thèmes: American Politics and Political Economy; American Politics & Political; American Politics & Political; American Politics and Political Economy; American Politics and Political Economy Series
• Catégories: Sciences sociales, droit, économie > Sciences politiques > Sciences politiques et formation politique; USA, Ethnic Studies, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Civics & Citizenship, United States of America, USA, Civil rights & citizenship, Black & Asian Studies, Civics and citizenship, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Cultural & Ethnic Studies / General