The Two-Party South

by Alexander P. Lamis

As late as 1960, political life in the Southern states was dominated by a Democratic party seeking to preserve white supremacy. When national Democrats abandoned the Southern cause and vigorously advocated equal rights for blacks, the solidly Democratic South crumbled and gave way to the two-party system that remains in place today. Lamis explains how this transformation occurred, covering each of the eleven Southern states in individual chapters and also offering overview chapters that chart regional and national trends.

Genres: Politics, History

334 pages, Hardcover

First published October 11, 1984

Reviews

[Cathy DuPont · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this was required reading to obtain my minor in poli-sci and Dr. Lamis was my professor, it was a great book which I still have on my shelf.

Some books, such as reference books are not going anywhere, staying on the bookshelf. Might move from one bookshelf to another, but certainly not out the door.

I obtained a better understanding of southern politics which is where I am. I need to know the whys (and hows) of our local(south) political climate and how it came about.

Very readable book and Dr. Lamis was a wonderful political scientist and professor. No kidding here; I already got my grade so don't need to blow smoke.

[Jim Gulley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lamis argues that the abatement of racial tensions after the Civil Rights movement made the one-party political imperative in the South unnecessary, giving rise to the two-party South. The book is modeled after V.O. Key’s Southern Politics in State and Nation which was published in 1949, and in many ways is an updated version of it. Lamis is a political scientist and effectively uses statistical analysis of election results and polling data to make his arguments.