Hispanics and the U.S. Political System

As the Hispanic population in the U.S. grows, so too does its influence. The general election in 2000 marked an era of increased influence and awareness by Hispanics in politics both as voters and politicians. While it is clear that Latinos are influencing and changing politics, the impact on politics in the U.S. is still not clear. Authored by leading scholar, F. Chris Garcia and Gabriel Sanchez, Hispanics and the U.S. Political System : Moving into the Mainstream focuses on the historical, contemporary and future role of Hispanics in the United States.

F. Chris Garcia is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of New Mexico. He is the author/editor of several books and many articles and chapters in the areas of Hispanic politics, public opinion and political socialization, campaigns and elections and New Mexico government. Professor Garcia has taught classes in these areas for over 35 years. Included among these were newly instituted courses in Chicano Politics and the Politics of Ethnic Groups in the early 1970s. He has served as an officer of several professional organizations as well as serving as a college Dean, Academic Vice President, Provost and President at the University of New Mexico. During this period Dr. Garcia has provided extensive commentary and analysis of campaigns and elections for local, national and international media. He is the recipient of many honors and awards including the APSA Award for Distinguished Service, the NM Governor's Distinguished Public Service Award and the UNM Regents Meritorious Service Medal. Gabriel Sanchez is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of New Mexico. His fields of interest are Racial and Ethnic politics with a specific focus on Latino Political Behavior. Professor Sanchez has articles published in Political Research Quarterly and American Politics Research. He teaches classes in the areas of racial and ethnic politics, Hispanic politics, and Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior. Professor Sanchez is also the Recruitment Coordinator for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Research Center for Health Policy at the University of New Mexico.

UNIT I: THE CONTEXT AND SYSTEM ENVIRONMENTChapter 1: The People, Politics, Power and the US Political SystemChapter 2: Attitudinal, Constitutional and Historical SettingsChapter 3: The Demographic and Socioeconomic SettingsUNIT II: INPUTSChapter 4: Supports, Interests and ResourcesChapter 5: Latino Public Opinion, Political Socialization and Political CultureChapter 6: Participation--Voting and the Electoral ProcessChapter 7: Participation--Collective Action: Interest Groups, Organizations Coalitions and Leadership Chapter 8: Participation--Political Parties and Political IdeologyUNIT III: CONVERSION AND DECISION MAKINGChapter 9: Representation--Representatives, Reapportionment and RedistrictingChapter 10: The National Government and LatinosChapter 11: Latinos in State and Local GovernmentsUNIT IV: OUTPUTS OF THE POLITICAL SYSTEMChapter 12: Latinos and Public PoliciesChapter 13: Summary, Some Observations and Conclusion