Suchergebnisse

Data from several previous national surveys (1975-1986) of local officials from 1,000+ US municipalities are used to generate a rich set of data that illustrate the mechanics of the local interest group system. Privileged interest groups such as business have more influence than groups representing minorities, women, & the poor, but these differences are largely explained by the behavior of the groups themselves. In all cases, local governments are equally responsive to contacts from different groups seeking their aid. It is concluded that bias in the interest group system has been overstated; although groups representing minorities & the poor have difficulty obtaining influence, the opportunities & constraints they encounter are not essentially different from those of other groups. 5 Tables, 38 References. Adapted from the source document.

The changing geographic structure of black-white segregation in the US is examined at 4 geographic levels (state, county, city, & neighborhood), 1900-1990. Racial segregation at the state & county levels was determined through counts obtained from the decennial US Census Bureau dissimilarity & isolation indexes. City counts 1950-1970 were obtained from the City and County Data Book, & 1970-1990 from the Census Bureau. To assess trends at the neighborhood level, previously published work was consulted. A long-term trend away from macrolevel segregation & toward microlevel segregation was documented. From 1900 to 1970, segregation at the state & county levels decreased, while it increased on the neighborhood level &, after 1950, at the municipal level. It is concluded that segregation patterns in the twentieth century have consistently evolved to minimize white contact with blacks, although the geographical level at which the segregation has occurred has varied. 2 Tables, 36 References. Adapted from the source document.