Dangerously Divided

'This is an authoritative, systematic, and important book that will be an agenda setter for years to come. The arguments are powerful and frequently counter-intuitive.' Paul Frymer, Princeton University, New Jersey 'Both within and beyond academe, most acknowledge the centrality of race to American politics. Somehow, however, most of the leading analysts of the American political scene fail to appreciate the ways in which race structures the outcomes of American democracy as well. They go on and on about class, while race (and racism) is relegated to the sidelines. In this much-needed and deft analysis, Hajnal corrects this 'oversight' and provides irrefutable evidence that race-based disparities tell us more about winners and losers in American democracy than do, say, middle-class versus working-class divisions. In these troubled times, Dangerously Divided is essential reading for those who are serious about working toward a more perfect union.' Christopher Sebastian Parker, University of Washington 'Dangerously Divided is a powerful and convincing account of the fundamental role that race plays in American politics. At all levels of government, across varied institutional settings, and over time, Hajnal demonstrates that divisions by race eclipse other potential cleavages. Consequently, whites tend to win in elections and in policy making, while people of color lose.' Jessica Trounstine, University of California, Merced 'Using a novel research design, Zoltan L. Hajnal convincingly demonstrates that race has replaced class as the main dividing line in American politics, and that immigration has become a major contributor to this divide - triggering a backlash that has increased white defections from the Democratic Party. Hajnal's insights on the political impact of the nation's changing demographics, including whether the current anti-immigrant strategy will eventually backfire, make Dangerously Divided a must-read.' William Julius Wilson, author of The Truly Disadvantaged 'This is an authoritative, systematic, and important book that will be an agenda setter for years to come. The arguments are powerful and frequently counter-intuitive.' Paul Frymer, Princeton University, New Jersey 'Both within and beyond academe, most acknowledge the centrality of race to American politics. Somehow, however, most of the leading analysts of the American political scene fail to appreciate the ways in which race structures the outcomes of American democracy as well. They go on and on about class, while race (and racism) is relegated to the sidelines. In this much-needed and deft analysis, Hajnal corrects this `oversight' and provides irrefutable evidence that race-based disparities tell us more about winners and losers in American democracy than do, say, middle-class versus working-class divisions. In these troubled times, Dangerously Divided is essential reading for those who are serious about working toward a more perfect union.' Christopher Sebastian Parker, University of Washington 'Dangerously Divided is a powerful and convincing account of the fundamental role that race plays in American politics. At all levels of government, across varied institutional settings, and over time, Hajnal demonstrates that divisions by race eclipse other potential cleavages. Consequently, whites tend to win in elections and in policy making, while people of color lose.' Jessica Trounstine, University of California, Merced 'Using a novel research design, Zoltan L. Hajnal convincingly demonstrates that race has replaced class as the main dividing line in American politics, and that immigration has become a major contributor to this divide - triggering a backlash that has increased white defections from the Democratic Party. Hajnal's insights on the political impact of the nation's changing demographics, including whether the current anti-immigrant strategy will eventually backfire, make Dangerously Divided a must-read.' William Julius Wilson, author of The Truly Disadvantaged