In "The Paradox of Representation" David Lublin offers an
unprecedented analysis of a vast range of rigorous, empirical
evidence that exposes the central paradox of racial representation:
Racial redistricting remains vital to the election of African
Americans and Latinos but makes Congress less likely to adopt
policies favored by blacks. Lublin's evidence, together with policy
recommendations for improving minority representation, will make
observers of the political scene reconsider the avenues to fair
representation.
Using data on all representatives elected to Congress between
1972 and 1994, Lublin examines the link between the racial
composition of a congressional district and its representative's
race as well as ideology. The author confirms the view that
specially drawn districts must exist to ensure the election of
African Americans and Latinos. He also shows, however, that a
relatively small number of minorities in a district can lead to the
election of a representative attentive to their interests. When
African Americans and Latinos make up 40 percent of a district,
according to Lublin's findings, they have a strong liberalizing
influence on representatives of both parties; when they make up 55
percent, the district is almost certain to elect a minority
representative.
Lublin notes that particularly in the South, the practice of
concentrating minority populations into a small number of districts
decreases the liberal influence in the remaining areas. Thus, a
handful of minority representatives, almost invariably Democrats,
win elections, but so do a greater number of conservative
Republicans. The author proposes that establishing a balance
between majority-minority districts and districts where the
minority population would be slightly more dispersed, making up 40
percent of a total district, would allow more African Americans to
exercise more influence over their representatives.
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