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A Nation Under God? The ACLU and Religion in American Politics questions the claim of the ACLU that the First Amendment to the Constitution requires the complete cleansing of any religious expression in the American public square. That position, Krannawitter and Palm argue, is not consistent with the principles of the American founding, but derives from early 20th century progressivism and modern liberalism that requires ultimately a reconstituting of the American regime along completely secular lines. A re-examination of the American founding, its theoretical and constitutional principles, allows for limited religious expression without violating the constitutional principle of religious liberty.

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A User's Guide to the USA PATRIOT Act and Beyond examines the controversial USA PATRIOT Act, passed by Congress six weeks after the horrific events of September 11, 2001. The book summarizes other programs put into operation to severely curtail the civil liberties of Americans, including a second, more intrusive PATRIOT Act, and other proposed programs and laws that attack privacy, probably cause, due process, and free speech.

In 1961 President John F. Kennedy issued Executive Order 10925, requiring federal contractors to take "affirmative action" to employ workers on a nondiscriminatory basis. Since then, perhaps no issue in the modern American dialogue engenders such vociferous debate and controversy. This two-volume set contains more than 500 alphabetically arranged entries that offer current, accurate, and detailed information significantly related to affirmative action, including coverage of: BL Concepts BL Court cases BL Ethnic and social groups BL Events BL Government agencies BL Individuals BL Issues BL Laws BL Movements BL And more Entries also explore implementation of the concept in other countries, including Japan, Australia, India, South Africa, and Great Britain. Two appendices provide the full texts of Gratz v. Bollinger and Grutter v. Bollinger, the landmark affirmative action decisions handed down by the Supreme Court in June 2003. A timeline of major events traces the development of affirmative action in the United States from 1865 to the present, a bibliography lists important general works, and a "Guide to Related Topics" allows readers to trace such broad themes as affirmative action and civil rights, or such important information categories as major statutes and court cases, across a range of entries. Illustrated and cross-referenced, the entries conclude with specialized further reading lists and can be accessed through a detailed subject index.

This timely work examines minority and ethnic politics in rural America and other democratic societies and how the majority versus minority political competition is played out in society. Unlike most books on national, state, and local governments, African American Politics in Rural America is concerned with theory and political actors particularly their perceptions, frustrations, and, sometimes, satisfaction with the complex processes of governance at the grassroots level in American politics.

This timely work examines minority and ethnic politics in rural America and other democratic societies and how the majority versus minority political competition is played out in society. Unlike most books on national, state, and local governments, African American Politics in Rural America is concerned with theory and political actors particularly their perceptions, frustrations, and, sometimes, satisfaction with the complex processes of governance at the grassroots level in American politics.

Majority black districts are necessary to ensure the equitable representation of African Americans. These districts are under attack today by conservative scholars and a conservative United States Supreme Court. Critics of race-conscious congressional districting argue that blacks can win election from majority white districts. Factors such as continued racial segregation, the existence of racial bloc voting by whites, and lack of minority success absent race-conscious remedies, however, provide strong evidence that the case for majority black districts remains compelling.
The books provides a detailed analysis of the politics of racial redistricting, a topic of particular concern in light of recent federal court cases. The book is divided into two parts. Part one examines the historical exclusion of blacks from the American political process and the politics behind congressional redistricting. Investigation of the politics behind redistricting, focusing on partisan maneuvering, assesses whose interests were being served. In particular, the book chronicles the legislative action (creation of majority black districts) in North Carolina and around the South.
Part two shifts the focus to the myriad of legal battles that ensued as a result of the newly created districts in North Carolina and around the South. Majority black districts are being dismantled the Supreme Court because of criticism of their shape and because race was considered a predominant factor in their design. Irregularly shaped majority white districts have not been accused of violating districting principles. Furthermore, the fact that blacks were not elected to national office in large numbers prior to thecreation of majority black districts indicates the continuing need for race-conscious districting as a temporary solution to a complex problem.

This book reviews fifty years of research on politics in Africa. It synethizes insights from different scholarly approaches and offers an original interpretation of the knowledge accumulated over the years. It discusses how research on African politics relates the study of politics in other regions and mainstream theories in Comparative Politics. It focuses on such key issues as the legacy of a movement approach to political change, the nature of the state, the economy of a location, the policy deficit, the agrarian question, gender and politics and ethnicity and conflict.

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This is the first comprehensive treatment of the complex phenomenon of African-American mayors in the nation's major urban centers. Offering a diverse portrait of leadership, conflict, and almost insurmountable obstacles, this volume assesses the political alliances that brought black mayors to office as well as the accomplishments and challenges that marked their careers.

Once in office, African-American mayors faced the intractable problems of decaying inner cities, white flight, a dwindling tax base, violent crime, and diminishing federal support for social programs. Many encountered hostility from their own parties, city councils, and police departments; others worked against long-established power structures dominated by local business owners or politicians. Still others, while trying to respond to multiple demands from a diverse constituency, were viewed as traitors by blacks expecting special attention from a leader of their own race. All struggled with the contradictory mandate of meeting the increasing needs of poor inner-city residents while keeping white businesses from fleeing to the suburbs.

Mayors profiled include Carl B. Stokes (Cleveland), Richard G. Hatcher (Gary), "Dutch" Morial (New Orleans), Harold Washington (Chicago), Tom Bradley (Los Angeles), Marion Barry (Washington, D.C.), David Dinkins (New York City), Coleman Young (Detroit), and a succession of black mayors in Atlanta (Maynard Jackson, Andrew Young, and Bill Campbell).

In this groundbreaking, candid, and necessary book, the man New York magazine calls "The Untouchable" puts forth his startling, often controversial, wholly inspiring vision of a new, inclusive America. From the economy to foreign policy, family values to the hip-hop movement, the war on drugs to the conflict between Palestine and Israel, Al Sharpton talks about the things that matter to us most. It is a stirring call to action delivered by a man who has faith in the future of America -- and the passion, knowledge, and foresight to take her there. Book jacket.

American Indian Politics and the American Political System provides a comprehensive introduction to the history, structure, and function of tribal governments and their relationship to contemporary American politics. The second edition incorporates fresh census data, thorough discussion of the critical electoral changes in the 2000 and 2004 national elections, and data on President Bush's first and second terms. This edition also explores the effects of changes in U.S. Senate and House personnel and state legislation on Indian rights and the state-tribal relationship.

American Indian Politics and the American Political System provides a comprehensive introduction to the history, structure, and function of tribal governments and their relationship to contemporary American politics. The second edition incorporates fresh census data, thorough discussion of the critical electoral changes in the 2000 and 2004 national elections, and data on President Bush's first and second terms. This edition also explores the effects of changes in U.S. Senate and House personnel and state legislation on Indian rights and the state-tribal relationship.

"There can be no more timely topic, nor more fundamental question, than the viability of an open society in the face of terrorism. This volume provides a wide-ranging, critical, and provocative survey of the challenges the US government and society face in the wake of September 11, 2001, and our initial responses. A grasp of the issues raised by these authors is of critical importance for any informed citizen."--Charles E. Walcott, Professor of Political Science, Virginia Tech
"As the United States, in the wake of 9-11, struggles to balance civil liberties with the requirements of national security, policy makers and citizens alike would benefit greatly from reading this carefully balanced set of essays. In this impressive collection, scholars put our current dilemmas of law and policy into historical perspective. They thoughtfully raise the alarm about potential threats to our civil liberties without being alarmist. This is an important contribution to our understanding of the balance between the civil liberties crucial to our democracy and the demands of national security in an era of increased terrorist threats."--James P. Pfiffner, University Professor, School of Public Policy at George Mason University