ABSTRACT

Widely regarded as one of the most successful pieces of modern legislation, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 has transformed the nature of minority participation and representation in the United States. But with success came controversy as some scholars claim the Act has outlived its usefulness or been subverted in its aim. This volume brings together leading scholars to offer a twenty-five year perspective on the consequences of this landmark act. Beginning with chapters covering the key provisions of the Act, it discusses the way it has transformed American politics and looks at the role played by major civil rights groups in lobbying for extensions and amendments to the Act and in insuring that its provisions would be enforced. The contributors are Bruce Cain, Gregory Caldeira, Edward Carmines, Drew Days, Luis Fraga, Hugh Davis Graham, Lani Guinier, Robert Huckfeldt, Morgan Kousser, Thomas Mann, Laughlin McDonald, T imothy O'Rourke, Carol Swain, and James Turner.f