Abstract

This dissertation describes and explains the politics of black representation. Using participant observation, interviews, historical, aggregate demographic data, and roll call analysis as the primary data sources, I focus on the United States Congress where in 1989 black representatives had claimed all but one majority black congressional district. ;The study defines three ways of maximizing the representation of most African-Americans. First, contrary to the conventional wisdom, more black politicians can be elected in majority white geographical areas. Second, white politicians can represent the policy preferences of most blacks. Third, in situations where the representative is of a different race than that of the district majority, representation can be enhanced through the activities of personal staffers who identify and articulate the needs and concerns of their ethnic groups