Binding: Paperback
Description: African American voters are a key demographic to the modern Democratic base and conventional wisdom has it that there is political cost to racialized "dog whistles " especially for Democratic candidates. However politicians from both parties and from all racial backgrounds continually appeal to negative racial attitudes for political gain. Challenging what we think we know about race and politics La Fleur Stephens - Dougan argues that candidates across the racial and political spectrum engage in "racial distancing " or using negative racial appeals to communicate to racially moderate and conservative whites - - the overwhelming majority of whites - - that they will not disrupt the racial status quo. Race to the Bottom closely examines empirical data on racialized partisan stereotypes to show that engaging in racial distancing through political platforms that do not address the needs of nonwhite communities and charged rhetoric that targets African Americans immigrants and others can be politically advantageous. Racialized communication persists as a well - worn campaign strategy because it has real electoral value for both white and black politicians seeking to broaden their coalitions. Stephens - Dougan reveals that claims of racial progress have been overstated as our politicians are incentivized to employ racial prejudices at the expense of the most marginalized in our society.
Title: Race To The Bottom How Racial Appeals Work In American Politics
Author(s): Stephens - Dougan Lafleur
Publisher: The University Of Chicago Press
Barcode: 9780226698984
Pages: 208 Pages
Publication Date: 7/31/2020
Series: Chicago Studies in American Politics
Category: Political Campaigning & Advertising