Pursuing Power: Latinos & The Political System

As the Latino voice in U.S. politics has become louder and more clearly defined, the United States has become increasingly an rapidly Latinized -- both culturally and politically -- in the areas of government and politics, public affairs, and policy-making processes. This transformation provides the focus for Pursuing Power the only comprehensive anthology on Latino politics currently available. With an important emphasis on public policies affecting Hispanics and a catalog of articles on education, immigration, language policy, affirmative action, and foreign policy, Pursuing Power provides an in-depth look at the cultural and political browning of America, as well as a compelling overview of the political potential inherent in what is quickly becoming the largest ethnic group in the United States. The themes of recognition and potential are the common threads running through this diverse collection. It addresses specific questions such as, What do Latinos want and need? How are they involving themselves in the political and policy-making process? What are the actual and likely results of their involvements? After an introductory discussion of the general situation of Latinos in the U.S., the essays examine the ways in which Latinos are presenting their near to policymakers, i.e., through voting. electoral participation, and organization The decision-making process that turned Latino preferences into policy, and the results of this process, are then explore Finally, contributors present several wide-ranging perspectives that presage the future politics and potential of Latinos in the United States of the twenty-first century.

F. Chris Garcia is distinguished professor of political science at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. Paul L. Hain is dean emeritus of arts and humanities, Texas A & M, Corpus Christi. Kim Seckler is associate professor of government, New Mexico State University. Gilbert K. St. Clair is lecturer emeritus of political science at the University of New Mexico.