Latino Politics in America: Community, Culture, and Interests (Spectrum Series: Race and Ethnicity in National and Global Politics) [Paperback]

John A. García (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2003 | ISBN-10: 0847691659 | ISBN-13: 978-0847691654

Latinos constitute the fastest growing population in the United States today, and Latino political participation is growing dramatically. Still, Latino political power is not commensurate with the numbers, and much potential remains to be tapped. This text lays out the basic facts of Latino America--who Latinos are, where they come from, where they reside--and then connects these facts to political realities of immigration, citizenship, voting, education, organization, and leadership. Throughout the book, the theme of culture and community building links Latinos past with the present, and points the way toward a future of shared interests and coalitions among the diverse Latino subgroups as well as with other groups vying for power in a shrinking Anglo America. Author John A. Garc'a brings thirty years of experience in all aspects of politics, policy, and academic theory to bear in painting a nuanced portrait of contemporary Latino political life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Hooray! Garcia has written a new college textbook for courses in Chicano/a or Latino/a politics. Essential. A pleasure for graduate students through faculty. (Choice Magazine )

Latino Politics in America is an excellent overview of Latinos in the United States and their relation to issues such as immigration, naturalization, voting patterns, educational attainment, and leadership, to name but a few. This book is an essential text for understanding the most important group to influence American politics in the next decade. (Lisa Magaña )

John A. García's Latino Politics in America offers a comprehensive and compelling analysis of key issues in Latino politics. From the complexities of Latino identity and community formation to the many dimensions of political participation among Latino subgroups, this book provides a vital resource. (Barvosa-Carter, Edwina )

Latino Politics in America is a provocative and important book, an indispensable guide to understanding the evolving politics of America's largest racial and ethnic group. John A. García's analysis is impressive as he synthesizes the literature on race, ethnicity, and American politics. It is clearly the best book on Latino politics to date. (Benjamin Marquez )

About the Author

John A. Garc'a is professor of political science at the University of Arizona.

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (June 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847691659
• ISBN-13: 978-0847691654
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,209,045 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars timely analysis of US Latino groups, December 30, 2011

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This review is from: Latino Politics in America: Community, Culture, and Interests (The Spectrum: Race and Ethnicicity in National and Global Politics) (Paperback)

Garcia offers a lengthy and detailed analysis of the recent history and current status of Latino politics. The emphasis is on the last 20 years. The book only gives a cursory look at earlier times; you should consult other texts for that. Several chapters draw on and analyse extensive surveys, where the respondents were mostly Latinos, self-identified.

Unsurprisingly, immigration is a major topic. A trend is shown of increasing Latino immigrants being involved in the US political process. First as non-residents, often even out of status ('illegal'). Then as residents or naturalised citizens. Garcia looks at several states with increasing percentages of all 3, but especially of the last category. The reason of course is participation in voting. California and Texas figure prominently in this.

But the book goes beyond a simplistic focus on immigration, vital though that may be to many. It delves into the various Latino subgroups. The reader gets to appreciate that the term Latino can be often a US construct. That many Latinos identify more with their separate cultural and national origins than with that overarching term. Of the subgroups, Cubans offer a useful and unique contrast. The exile community in south Florida dominates the local politics. Which can be seen as a harbinger of demographic trends elsewhere. But this community is strongly anti-communist and has consistently returned Republican candidates to office. The Cubans have benefited from generous residency requirements; where essentially now being able to get to US soil qualifies the Cuban automatically. Other Latino groups lack such good fortune.

The book studies events up to 2010 and is quite timely.