"Abstract Our polarized, hyper-competitive, parties appear stuck in grid-lock inducing stasis. But change is occurring. Some states are becoming more progressive; others, more conservative. Some locales are becoming more progressive, and others, more conservative. In this chapter, I introduce the ways in which movers and stayers theory-originally designed for the southern context-may have wide applicability to U.S. politics more generally. I highlight the ways in which the (sometimes) dramatic demographic shifts driven by migration (both to and from) are altering our political geography-providing opportunities for some political coalitions and posing a threat to others. This chapter includes a description of the content of each chapter and highlights thebroader analytical themes of the book (e.g., the increasing significance of generational political divisions, the growth of the political significance of the educational divide across races/ethnicities, and the waning significance of the rural/urban political divide). Keywords State and local politics, rural/urban divide, partisan polarization, party realignment, migration, regional politics"-- Provided by publisher.
In Partisan Places, Irwin L. Morris describes a dramatic partisan shift at the local and state level caused by domestic migration patterns. Places with growing populations are becoming more Democratic, while places with declining or stagnating communities are increasingly Republican. These partisan shifts are primarily a function of the demographic profile of movers--who tend to be younger, more educated, more racially diverse, and more Democratic than stayers who remain in their hometowns. With case studies from across the nation, Partisan Places lays a foundation for understanding the evolving geography of American politics and the future trajectory of party competition in the US.
Below the surface of America's polarized, hyper-competitive standoff between the national Republican and Democratic parties, a dramatic partisan change is occurring at the local and state level. In Partisan Places, Irwin L. Morris describes the shift in American politics caused by domestic migration patterns. Places with growing populations are becoming more Democratic, while places with declining or stagnating communities are increasingly Republican. These partisan shifts are primarily a function of the demographic profile of movers--who tend to be younger, more educated, more racially diverse, and more Democratic than stayers who remain in their hometowns. Interestingly, this phenomenon is occurring regardless of a place's status as urban or rural: higher rates of immigration from other states or counties results in more Democratic support, while more emigration, especially in predominantly White communities, fosters Republican strength. Morris' analysis has significant implications for the future trajectory of party competition in the US, indicating that the Republican party should aim to attract "mover" support to remain competitive. With case studies from across the nation, Partisan Places lays a foundation for understanding the evolving geography of American politics.
