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Cover; Half-title; Title; Copyright; Dedication; Contents; Tables and Figures; Preface; Acknowledgments; 1 Introduction; 2 The Social Capital Thesis; 3 The Racial Diversity Thesis; 4 Examining Social Outcomes, and Civic and Economic Equality; 5 Voter Turnout and Other Forms of Participation in Context; 6 Public Policy Outputs; 7 Conclusions; References; Index.

The thesis of "Faces of Inequality" is that a state's racial and ethnic composition, more than any other factor, directs its political processes and policies. Social diversity is therefore central to any understanding of state political cultures. Opposing conventional wisdom, Rodney Hero seeks to provide a completely new lens through which to view American politics.

Bringing together political science research on Latinos and an analysis of American politics from the vantage point of the Latino political condition, Rodney E. Hero presents a comprehensive discussion of contemporary Latino politics. He points out that "the ₉distinct' and ₉tenuous' nature of Latino status in the United States has made it difficult to develop explanatory frameworks appropriate to their unique status". This "uniqueness" stems from a variety of circumstances, including the differences among Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans, and their ambivalent racial classification (white but not "Anglo," or nonwhite but not black). Introducing the concept of "two-tiered pluralism," Hero offers a distinct interpretation of Latino politics. Two-tiered pluralism describes the political situation for Latinos and other minorities in which equality is largely formal or procedural, but not substantive. Hero observes that this formal but marginalized inclusion exists for minorities in most facets of the political process. This two-tiered pluralism represents a political dilemma for those caught in the "second tier." They can choose to be ignored and hope for change in the long run or they can support and accept policies (such as "affirmative action") and take on labels (such as "protected class") that indicate symbolic recognition while signifying inferior status. In his critical overview of American politics, Hero explores the major theoretical perspectives that have been used to understand Latino "cultural politics"; he compares and contrasts the three largest Hispanic populations in this country; and he considers major political activities and institutions of the American political system with specific reference to Latinos. He examines political attitudes among Latinos; federal, state, and local political goals; and policy issues that are of specific importance to Latino communities. This timely and comprehensive work addresses the politics of an increasingly important segment of the U.S. population and an area in which previous research has been scant

Bringing together political science research on Latinos and an analysis of American politics from the vantage point of the Latino political condition, Rodney E. Hero presents a comprehensive discussion of contemporary Latino politics. He points out that "the ₉distinct' and ₉tenuous' nature of Latino status in the United States has made it difficult to develop explanatory frameworks appropriate to their unique status". This "uniqueness" stems from a variety of circumstances, including the differences among Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans, and their ambivalent racial classification (white but not "Anglo," or nonwhite but not black). Introducing the concept of "two-tiered pluralism," Hero offers a distinct interpretation of Latino politics. Two-tiered pluralism describes the political situation for Latinos and other minorities in which equality is largely formal or procedural, but not substantive. Hero observes that this formal but marginalized inclusion exists for minorities in most facets of the political process. This two-tiered pluralism represents a political dilemma for those caught in the "second tier." They can choose to be ignored and hope for change in the long run or they can support and accept policies (such as "affirmative action") and take on labels (such as "protected class") that indicate symbolic recognition while signifying inferior status. In his critical overview of American politics, Hero explores the major theoretical perspectives that have been used to understand Latino "cultural politics"; he compares and contrasts the three largest Hispanic populations in this country; and he considers major political activities and institutions of the American political system with specific reference to Latinos. He examines political attitudes among Latinos; federal, state, and local political goals; and policy issues that are of specific importance to Latino communities. This timely and comprehensive work addresses the politics of an increasingly important segment of the U.S. population and an area in which previous research has been scant.

Political science should play a larger role in grappling with the political roots, meanings, and implications of the various levels and unique configurations of class inequality and racial diversity that have characterized the last several decades of U.S. history. I offer some observations about the discipline's research, or lack thereof, and indicate suggestions about how we might think about and do more in these respects.I will come at these concerns by noting some developments that influenced the present in social and political terms and other events in political science; identifying intellectual guideposts that may help how we think about research issues of our day; considering why race and class are not studied (more); acknowledging how the questions have been studied, as well as noting some reservations about these; and providing several examples from the research in which I have been involved, both directly and indirectly, that suggest how we might or can study these questions.

The United States experienced a period of sustained large-scale immigration from the 1960s into the period of dramatic economic recession in 2008–2009. This article focuses on the impact of immigrants and immigration on social policy in the United States. I summarize the arguably, and surprisingly, scant research that specifically examines the political and policy (more than the social and/or economic) implications of immgration. I first look at the extent and nature of change within and across three minority groups over the past several decades, including evidence on their composition and geographic concentration or dispersion. Next considered are the implications of the American "racial order" as a context and its impacts on "racialization" of immigrants. Next examined are the consequences for immigrants in major arenas of American government—urban, state, and national. Although emphasis is given to issues of immigration, the importance of race/ethnicity as a social force in American politics is also considered, of necessity, because immigration and race/ethnicity are strongly interconnected though analytically separable.

The United States experienced a period of sustained large-scale immigration from the 1960s into the period of dramatic economic recession in 2008-2009. This article focuses on the impact of immigrants and immigration on social policy in the United States. I summarize the arguably, and surprisingly, Scant research that specifically examines the political and policy (more than the social and/or economic) implications of immigration, I first look at the extent and nature of change within and across three minority groups over the past several decades, including evidence on their composition and geographic concentration or dispersion. Next considered are the implications of the American "racial order" as a context and its impacts on "racialization" of immigrants. Next examined are the consequences for immigrants in major arenas of American government-urban, state, and national. Although emphasis is given to issues of immigration, the importance of race/ethnicity as a social force in American politics is also considered, of necessity, because immigration and race/ethnicity are strongly interconnected though analytically separable. Adapted from the source document.