African-American political empowerment in the realignment era: a case study of the North Carolina General Assembly

• Main Author: Sullivan, Brenda Ann
• Format: Others
• Published: DigitalCommons@Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta University Center 1988
• Subjects: Political Science
• Online Access: http://digitalcommons.auctr.edu/dissertations/1729; http://digitalcommons.auctr.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3294&context=dissertations

This dissertation is an exploratory longitudinal case study of Black political effectiveness within state legislative structures. More specifically, it examines the development of a Black legislative base during an era of emerging control by the Republican Party. Chapters I and II serve as introductory chapters by outlining the basis for the study and historical overviews of the role Blacks have played in North Carolina's politics. Chapter III sketches North Carolina's governmental structure while Chapter IV discusses the crucial issues surrounding the 1984 reapportionment plans. Chapter V identifies the criteria for effective state representation and Chapter VI discusses how effective North Carolina's African-American legislators have been. It is hoped that this study is a scholarly contribution to discussions that will bring us closer to effective political power.