Fair and Effective Representation?: Debating Electoral Reform and Minority Rights

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Rowman & Littlefield, 2001 - Law - 189 pages
Two experts on political representation, voting rights, and the election process debate the most pertinent issues of electoral reform and assess them in the context of the Founders' vision of representation and minority rights. Mark E. Rush and Richard L. Engstrom discuss the promises and pitfalls of electoral reform--specifically, the merits of converting from the traditional single-member district to some form of proportional representation. The authors examine the shortcomings of the existing methods of elections (such as gerrymandering, low turnout, voter apathy, and underrepresentation of minorities and women), debate the merits of converting to proportional representation, ask whether it would address the imperfections of the current system, and investigate the extent to which proportional representation adheres to the Founders' (particularly Madison's) plan for representation. With an introduction by esteemed political scientist Bruce E. Cain, this is an essential text for courses in voting rights and behavior, elections, and American political thought.

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Contents

The Political Thicket Electoral Reform and Minority Voting Rights
xvii
The Hidden Costs of Electoral Reform
65
References
117
READINGS
135
Gomillion et al v Lightfoot Mayor of Tuskegee et al 364 US 339 1960
137
Reynolds Judge et al v Sims et al 377 US 533 1964
140
Wright et al v Rockefeller Governor of New York et al 376 US52 1964
144
United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburgh Inc et al v Carey Governor of New York et al 423 US 945 1975
148
City of Mobile Alabama et al v Bolden et al 446 US 55 1980
152
Thornburg Attorney General of North Carolina et al v Gingles et al 478 US 30 1986
158
Ruth O Shaw et al Appellants v Janet Reno Attorney General et al 509 US 630 1993
164
Jackie Holder etc et al Petitioners v E K Hall Sr et al 512 US 874 1994
170
Bush Governor of Texas et al v Vera et al 517 US952 1996
179
Index
181
About the Authors
185
Copyright

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