Inside the Carnival: Unmasking Louisiana Politics

by Wayne Parent

With both an entertainer’s eye and a social scientist’s rigor, Wayne Parent subjects Louisiana’s politics to rational and empirical analysis, seeking and finding coherent reasons for the state’s well-known unique history. He resists resorting to vague hand-waving about “exoticism,” while at the same time he brings to life the juicy stories that illustrate his points. Pa rent’s main theme is that Louisiana’s ethnic mix, natural resources, and geography define a culture that in turn produces its unique political theater. He gives special attention to immigration patterns and Louisiana’s abundant supply of oil and gas, as well as to the fascinating variations in political temperaments in different parts of the state. Most important, he delivers thorough and concise explanations of Louisiana’s unusual legal system, odd election rules, overwrought constitutional history, convoluted voting patterns, and unmatched record of political corruption. In a new epilogue, Parent discusses how the hurricanes of 2005 will affect state politics and politicians as Louisiana struggles to regain its footing in the New South.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, History

208 pages, Paperback

First published April 5, 2004

Reviews

[Andrew Epperson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book about the expected trajectory of Louisiana’s politics based on 20tb century trends—the kicker is this was released before Katrina, so much of those expectations did not line up with what has happened.
Louisiana’s politics are no longer abnormal. Like other Southern states, the voting majority is Republican. This cemented itself in the mid-2010s, and while Louisiana held out longer than others, it is now firmly in that camp.
I enjoyed learning some history about Carnival, the oil-and-gas-boosted economic impact on populist administration, etc.

[Duane Prejean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Treatise on Louisiana Politics.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm from New Jersey but have always had an interest in Louisiana politics thanks to the legacies of the Long brothers and Edwin Edwards. Parent's book is full of demographic information but gives you a firm understanding how Louisiana works at the local and state level which is completely fascinating.

Louisiana since has seem to have shaken off a bit of it's reputation (though the Vitter scandal is another blip on the radar) but it's a state full of unusual events (Katrina which is covered in the book and the more recent BP spill which isn't) and also clear demographics.

This is a state that almost elected (though the election itself was a bloodbath) a modern day KKK leader (David Duke) and instead of electing him, went for a former Governor who was tried/acquitted/then jailed of corruption charges (Edwin Edwards).

Colorful state full of fascinating people and events, such as the Roemer Revolution, makes Louisiana a state to learn about for anyone interested in politics.

[Vincent Cellucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an informative book on LA politics that is well-worth reading. Politics is not a subject I'm typically attracted to but, as a Louisiana resident and writer, I found this book aided my experiential understanding of the state and its political oddities (and my ability to articulate them). For example, I now feel completely competent explaining to outsiders how our open run off system differentiates from the rest of the nation's interpretations, why our run-offs are later and can consist of members of the same party on one ticket, how the mayor of Baton Rouge can not even be from or live in Baton Rouge, and, most importantly, the difference between common and code law judicial systems. Parent constructs a simple narrative filled with flavorful antidotes and provides supplemental information in appendix form. I consider it a mandatory introduction to recent political history of one of the most unique states in the country.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book before I went to Louisiana to do work on housing rebuilding after Katrina. This book helped lots of things make sense. Like why the state insurance regulators brought about 20 lawyers to the meeting with GAO. We just wanted someone to explain wind vs water damage in a hurricane, we weren't out to get anyone, but the last 3 or 4 state insurance commissioners had gone to jail, so they are suspicious of us Feds poking around. You might have to be a political science geek to enjoy this though.

[Aaron Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parent's title perfectly describes the chaos that is Louisiana political life from the state's early history to the governance of Kathleen Blanco during the 2005 hurricanes. The book covers local, parish, and state government while telling the story of my home state. This book is required reading for anyone interested in the national oddity that is the state of Louisiana or the cultural phenomenon of the New South.

[Cait · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, Louisiana politics. Very few subjects (to me) prove as interesting, eye-rolling, or frustrating. Thankfully, Parent gets it all in there in a highly readable, entertaining, and informative way.

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very decent political books for understanding Louisiana Politics

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. Totally fascinating.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, I'm loving it.!