The Republican South : : Democratization and Partisan Change / / David Lublin.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter Princeton University Press eBook-Package Backlist 2000-2013
• VerfasserIn: Lublin, David,
• Place / Publishing House: Princeton, NJ : : Princeton University Press, , [2022]; ©2004
• Year of Publication: 2022
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (264 p.) :; 28 line illus. 13 tables. 10 maps.

This comprehensive and in-depth look at southern politics in the United States challenges conventional notions about the rise of the Republican Party in the South. David Lublin argues that the evolution of southern politics must be seen as part of a process of democratization of the region's politics. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 provided a sharp jolt forward in this process by greatly expanding the southern electorate. Nevertheless, Democrats prevented Republicans from capitalizing rapidly on these changes. The overwhelming dominance of the region's politics by Democrats and their frequent adoption of conservative positions made it difficult for the GOP to attract either candidates or voters in many contests. However, electoral rules and issues gradually propelled the Democrats to the Left and more conservative white voters and politicians into the arms of the Republican Party. Surprisingly, despite the racial turmoil of the civil rights era, economic rather than racial issues first separated Democrats from Republicans. Only later did racial and social issues begin to rival economic questions as a source of partisan division and opportunity for Republican politicians.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- Contents -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Chapter One Introduction -- Chapter Two The Pace of Republican Gains -- Chapter Three Strategic Elites and Partisan Choice -- Chapter Four The Role of Institutions -- Chapter Six Issues and White Partisanship -- Chapter Seven The Future of Southern Politics -- Appendix -- Index