CONSTITUENCY CHARACTERISTICS AND ROLL CALL VOTING ON NEGRO RIGHTS IN THE 88TH CONGRESS

In: Social science quarterly, Band 49, Heft 3, S. 720-731

Abstract

Roll call voting on questions of civil rights for Negroes reveals an important & distinctly structured dimension of conflict in the House of Representatives of the 88th Congress (1963 -64). Congressmen's voting patterns are consistent but sharply diff'iated (N=425 Democratic & Republican representatives). Variations in support for Negro rights are modestly related to variations in demographic, soc, & econ characteristics in congressional districts. Relationships are lower when Republicans & Republican districts are examined alone. Variation among Democrats is distinctly regional, Southerners opposing & Northerners supporting civil rights for Negroes. However, unity among Southern congressmen is not monolithic. Moderate support for Negro rights comes from Southern Democrats from culturally heterogeneous districts. So far these moderates have shown a substantial amount of electoral staying power. AA.