Political scientists and social choice theorists often assume that economic diversification within a group produces divergent political beliefs and behaviors. Michael Dawson demonstrates, however, that the growth of a black middle class has left race as the dominant influence on African- American politics. Why have African Americans remained so united in most of their political attitudes? To account for this phenomenon, Dawson develops a new theory of group interests that emphasizes perceptions of "linked fates" and black economic subordination.

Contenu
List of Figures 1The Changing Class Structure of Black America and the Political Behavior of African Americans 2Race, Class, and African-American Economic Polarization 3The Politicization of African-American Racial Group Interests Pt. 2African-American Political Behavior and Public Opinion 4Models of African-American Racial and Economic Group Interests 5African-American Partisanship and the American Party System 6African-American Political Choice 7Racial Group Interests, African-American Presidential Approval, and Macroeconomic Policy 8Group Interests, Class Divisions, and African-American Policy Preferences 9Epilogue: Racial Group Interests, Class, and the Future of African-American Politics Bibliography Index