Politics in the New South: Looking Ahead

Abstract

Summarizes this examination of African American presence & power in southern state legislatures, focusing on AK, FL, GA, MI, TX, during the last two decades of the 20th century. Gains in descriptive (actual numbers) & substantive (ability to adequately speak for the interests of black constituents) representation are compared. Also explored are the function & power of black caucuses; black coalitions with white legislators; black attainment of positions of power (chairpersonship of significant committees); & black voting patterns & their influence on policies, particularly those relevant to the black community. Despite regionwide patterns, there remains much interstate variation in both descriptive & substantive representation of southern African-American legislators; several factors related to each state's unique political culture that can explain these differences are explored. References. K. Hyatt Stewart