Voting and Political Representation in America: Issues and Trends [2 volumes]

by Mark P. Jones

Overview

Examines voting trends and political representation in the United States today—with a special focus on debates over voting rights, voter fraud, and voter suppression—and election rules and regulations, including those related to gerrymandering, campaign fundraising, and other controversial subjects.

Do average Americans have a voice in Washington? Are they well-represented, or are they marginalized? Do elections reflect fundamental democratic institutions and values, or are they tarnished by voter suppression, voter fraud, gerrymandering, or other factors? To what extent do America's elected officials reflect the diversity of race, religion, gender, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, and political views of the wider American population?

This encyclopedia explores all these questions and more. It examines important mechanisms and laws shaping political representation in America in the 21st century, such as term limits, gerrymandering, the Electoral College, and "direct democracy" (ballot initiatives and referendums); and the degree to which various demographic groups are represented in state and federal legislatures, from Latinos and senior citizens to atheists and residents of rural states. It also explains the basis for escalating concerns about both voter fraud and voter suppression.

• Sets voting trends and political representation in context through a historical overview of their evolution in America
• Provides authoritative coverage of important terms, laws, trends, and controversies ranging from racially based voter suppression efforts to gerrymandering in an encyclopedia section
• Coverage of structural elements of elections and political representation
• Chronology of events that have shaped the modern world of voting and political representation in America

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440860843
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	02/24/2020
Pages:	832
Product dimensions:	7.35(w) x 10.45(h) x 2.50(d)

About the Author

Mark P. Jones, PhD, is the fellow in political science at the Baker Institute, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, and a professor in the department of political science at Rice University.

Editorial Reviews

"Voting and Political Representation in America is confidently recommended for any library supporting secondary and undergraduate research." - Booklist Online, Starred Review

"These scrupulously neutral, wide-ranging, and clearly written volumes depict many issues within the U.S. system(s) of voting. Everyone from secondary students on could learn from this timely work." - Library Journal

From the Publisher

★ 09/01/2020

Jones (Latin American studies, political science, Rice Univ.; Texas Politics Today) begins with an introduction that covers the United States' often dispiriting history of restrictions, largely failed reform attempts, and voter suppression, especially targeting African Americans, women, Native Americans, and Asians. The editor also considers representation in state and federal elected government, political parties, voter registration, the Electoral College, party primary rules, and single-member districts. The volumes' scope is wide, from Supreme Court decisions, candidates, and government functions to all levels of elections, tactics, and movements such as populism. Descriptive and evaluative entries are usually two to three pages each, but many offer extended context and analysis (e.g., voter fraud, redistricting). Articles on polling, social media, racial gerrymandering, and voting methods sit alongside fascinating information about ballot measures that average a grad school reading level. Concerning ballot access, the work cites that United States has more in common with Russia, Iran, and Turkey than with any nation in Western or central Europe, and that our Senate is the world's most malapportioned legislative chamber, and skewed redistricting maps are also unique to the United States. Several articles examine absentee/mail-in voting, noting possible effects on turnout, but not whether one party benefits. Aids include a lengthy chronology, further reading, and numerous primary documents, such as Mississippi Black Codes, as well as an index. VERDICT These scrupulously neutral, wide-ranging, and clearly written volumes depict many issues within the U.S. system(s) of voting. Everyone from secondary students on could learn from this timely work.—Patricia D. Lothrop, formerly of St. George's Sch., Newport, RI

Library Journal