Minorities and women
and the Political Process
Group Task - To what extent are some
citizens in a world power you have
studied disadvantaged politically
• Each group will research a different
aspect of political progress of minorities in
the USA
• Task is to produce 1 or 2 PowerPoint slides
with KNOWLEDGE and ANALYSIS
• Should be relevant to the question above
• Group will present to the class
• I’ll collate the slides produced and give
them to you as a hand-out
Not Disadvantaged (made
progress)
Disadvantaged (lack of progress
1. Recent improvements in elections
for minorities
2008 and 2012 elections, first nonwhite President etc.
More minorities participating
5. Representation of minorities
politically – e.g. in 2015 (114th Congress,
minorities are 34% of population but
only make up 17% of elected
representatives)
2. Influence in key states
Hispanics in Texas, Florida etc.
6. Language barrier, Registration
issues – research how this affects
Hispanics and other minorities
3. Recent improvements for women –
Clinton running for President, 114th
Congress more representative than
ever before ...signs of progress
7. Poor representation of women
politically (population compared to
representatives etc., never a female
President etc.)
4. Influence of Black and Hispanic
Caucuses – find out what these are and
how they represent minorities
8. Link to poverty – reasons why
minorities don’t vote, lack of role
models etc.
Minorities and the
Political Process
• In the exam, you may be asked about
“influencing the political process and
opportunities for participation”.
• This means you might get a question
about groups which may have a lack of
opportunity in terms of participating
politically.
• If this question comes up, you would
focus on how ethnic minorities face
inequalities in the US political system.
Minorities and the Political Process
• With the election of President Obama it could
be argued that a person’s ethnic background is
no longer important in politics.
• However, despite winning the election, Obama’s
opponent in 2008 (McCain) polled marginally
more of the total white vote than he did. In
2012, Romney again won the white vote.
• Also, in many of the States of the South and
Mid West, Obama attracted little support
outside minority groups. Ethnicity is still,
therefore, important in US elections…but to
what extent?
Minorities and the Political Process
• Historically, fewer Blacks and other minorities have turned out
to vote than Whites (see graph below). In recent years,
however, the number of Blacks and Hispanics registering and
voting has increased.
• In 2008, around 64% of Whites voted but for the first time a
greater number of Blacks voted (74%). In addition, 44% of
Hispanics and 29% of Asians also cast their vote. Why?
• Obama – For the first time in history
a non-White candidate was nominated by
one of the two major parties. 95% of
Blacks voted for Obama along with 66%
of Hispanics. Obama was also seen by
enough Whites as someone who would
unite the country and bring economic
stability.
Minorities and the
Political Process
Minority Representation in
the US Cabinet
Apart from Obama, there are a number of people
from ethnic minority backgrounds in the US Cabinet
including:
•Ken Salazar (Hisp.) – Sec. of the Interior (above)
•Eric Holder (Black) – Attorney General
•Hilda Solis (API) – Secretary of Labor
•Gary Locke (API) – Secretary of Commerce
•Steve Chu (API) – Secretary for Energy
•Eric Shinseki (API) – Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs
Minorities and the Political Process
Overview of the 113th Congress
• The 113th US Congress was the 2014 meeting of the legislature
of the US Federal Government. It was the most diverse Congress
in US history.
• However, although minority representation has improved in
Congress, Blacks, Hispanics and Asians remain under-represented
in the US Congress. Most lawmakers are white men.
Minority Representation in 113th Congress
Black Senators - 1 out of 100 – Tim Scott, below (first Black
Senator since 1979), Black Congressmen/women - 42 out of 435.
Hispanic Senators 3; Congressmen 29.
API Senators 1; Congressmen 10.
Native American Congressmen - 2
114th Congress is most diverse
ever
• This Congress began in January 2015
• Overall, non-whites (including blacks,
Hispanics, Asian/Pacific Islanders and
Native Americans) make up 17% of the
new Congress, but that is below these
groups’ 38% share of the nation’s
population.
• This is an improvement – the 107th
Congress took office in 2001 and
minorities only accounted for 12% of
Congress
Minorities and the Political Process –
The Supreme Court and Elsewhere
• There are nine Supreme Court judges. Until
recently, only one was from a minority group –
Judge Clarence Thomas. However, the first
Hispanic Supreme Court judge was recently
appointed - Sonia Sotomayor.
• There have only ever been four Black State
Governors including NY State’s David Paterson.
At the time of writing, there are no Hispanic
Governors although there is one Indian-American Louisiana Governor ‘Bobby’ Jindal.
• There are many people from ethnic minority
groups who are city mayors including Douglas
Palmer, Trenton New Jersey’s first Black mayor.
Overall, however, minorities remain underrepresented in US politics.
Potential Essay - To what extent are some
citizens in a world power you have studied
disadvantaged politically?
• For this essay you can
focus on ethnic minorities
and/or women.
• Essentially you would give
information showing that
these groups are
disadvantaged and also
that perhaps they are not
(or that situation is
improving)
Disadvantaged?- Representation
at Federal Level
• 114th Congress began in January 2015 and followed
the 2014 mid-term elections.
• Overall, non-whites (including blacks, Hispanics,
Asian/Pacific Islanders and Native Americans)
make up 17% of the new Congress, but that is
below these groups’ 38% share of the nation’s
population.
• Analysis - This is an improvement – the 107th
Congress took office in 2001 and minorities only
accounted for 12% of Congress, however minorities
still clearly under-represented. This suggests that
whilst progress is slowly being made, minorities are
still some way off equal representation.
Progress? - Representation at
Federal Level
• However, 2014 saw the election of the first
black senator in the south since the 19th
century – Tim Scott in South Carolina
(Republican)
• Mia Love became the first African American
woman to be elected to the Senate.
• In total minorities make up 17% of Congress
which is a 5% improvement since 2001.
• Analysis – this shows that there have been
historic gains for minorities recently proving
that some progress is being made politically.
Progress - Influence in Key
States
• More recently, minorities have had a greater impact during
elections, especially in certain states
• More and more Hispanic voters are registering to vote
• Hispanic voters have huge influence in states bordering Mexico
and also in Florida
• Minorities make up over one third of the US population and this
increases every year
• For presidential elections, minority votes often concentrated in
key ‘swing states giving minorities disproportionate influence in
those states, e.g. California, Texas, New York and Florida.
• Hispanic vote crucial in closely divided states of Colorado, New
Mexico, California, Arizona
• At the moment Democrats dominate minority vote although
Republicans are making inroads in recruiting minority support
• Analysis – The growing population and voter registration of
Hispanics means that they are beginning to have more of an
impact on elections, especially in states with high minority
populations.
Disadvantaged? - Influence in
Key States
• However, there are an estimated 11 million
illegal immigrants (mostly from Mexico) in
the USA
• Not allowed to vote (can’t register, always
at risk of being deported)
• Analysis – Although Hispanics having more
influence in certain states, the fact that
many are illegal immigrants means that
they have no voice politically. Unless an
amnesty is given to these immigrants they
will continue to be excluded.
Progress – Congressional Black
Caucus (CBC)
• This is a group made up of all black politicians in Congress (all
Democrats bar one)
• Current leader of CBC is G. K. Butterfield. 46 members in total.
• Aims are to positively influence decision-making relevant to
African-Americans and others of similar experience and
situation, and achieve greater equality for persons of African
descent
• Because the group vote together they are influential – winning
the votes of the CBC means you have 46 votes
• Even though blacks are under-represented overall, the CBC has
been able to give blacks a voice and put important issues on the
agenda including civil rights
• Many are experienced senior representatives holding key
positions giving them more influence
• Analysis – The CBC’s influence is evidence of progress made by
African Americans politically. This organised group of
representatives has been able to effectively represent the
interests of blacks in the US for several decades.
Progress – Congressional Black
Caucus (CBC)
• The CBC have great influence.
• At the moment Congress is controlled by
Republicans but because the CBC is a large
group they have huge bargaining power
• If the Congressional leadership need votes,
they may approach the CBC who would demand
something in return. E.g. improved civil rights
legislation, funding to help minorities in poor
areas etc.
• Analysis – The ability of the CBC to influence
decision-making is clear evidence that African
Americans have made political progress.
Progress? – Congressional Hispanic Caucus and
Congressional Hispanic Conference
• Similar groups in Congress representing Hispanics
• Caucus is for Hispanic Democrats, Conference is
for Hispanic Republicans
• Act in the interests of Hispanic Americans
• However, not as influential as CBC – fewer in
prominent positions and therefore less influence.
Also fewer Hispanics in Congress overall.
• Also, original single caucus split over party lines –
no unified front like with CBC
• However, this may change with growing population
and participation of Hispanics
• Analysis – Hispanics can exert influence through
these groups in Congress. Although not currently as
influential as CBC, the changing demographics in
the US mean that their influence is likely to grow in
the coming years
Lack of progress - Language
Barriers
• Some reports suggest that 60 million
Americans do not speak English at home
• Many Hispanic Americans speak Spanish as
their first language
• In California, nearly half of children do not
speak English at home
• Analysis - This could be a barrier to
taking part in politics since candidates
would require to have good English and
voters would likely have to understand
ballot papers written in English
Progress? - Language barriers
• However, the Democrats and Republicans have more
recently realised the importance of winning the
Hispanic vote
• Polling stations and ballot papers now have
instructions in Spanish in some states like California
• Not unusual to see “Vote Aqui” (vote here) outside
polling stations
• Analysis – the fact that some states help Hispanic
voters to vote by having instructions in Spanish
illustrates the fact that the so-called language
barrier does not always prevent Hispanics from
voting. As Republicans and Democrats compete for
the Hispanic vote it is likely that more Hispanic
voters will be more able to vote and therefore overall
Hispanics will continue to make progress politically.
Progress? – Minority Candidates
• Democrats and Republicans are now more likely than ever to run
minority candidates, particularly in states with large minority
populations
• Today, many cities with large minority populations have elected
minority mayors, including San Antonio (Texas) and Providence
(Rhode Island)
• The Democrats have had many minority candidates in recent years,
and indeed the current Democrat President is African American.
• The Republican Party now realise the importance of gaining minority
votes and so are actively looking for minority candidates to run for
office, for example Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio (both Hispanic) are
Republican candidates to be nominees for the 2016 Presidential
election.
• Analysis – With the growing population of minorities in the USA,
more minority candidates are likely to achieve electoral success as
the main two political parties compete for minority votes. For
example, by selecting minority candidates to run for federal
elections, the parties would hope to win more seats in Congress.
Progress - 2008 and 2012
Presidential Elections
• 2008 election a historic one
• First non-white President elected
• Analysis of the way different ethnic groups voted
proves how influential the minority vote is
• For the first time in history a non-White
candidate was nominated by one of the two major
parties.
• 95% of Blacks voted for Obama along with 66% of
Hispanics.
• Obama was also seen by enough Whites as someone
who would unite the country and bring economic
stability.
• Most whites voted for the Republican candidate
John McCain.
Progress - 2008 and 2012
Presidential Elections
• The story was similar in 2012 – this time most whites voted for
Mitt Romney but Obama won overall.
• Looking at the changing demographics of the United States
population and its effects on the electorate, it is easy to
conclude that the Hispanic community is growing as a political
force.
• In the 2012 presidential election, the Hispanic vote share
reached an all time high of 10%, with the conclusion being that
the community was decisive in deciding the outcome of the
election.
• While taking note of this, both political parties courted
minorities aggressively in the last election cycle, with President
Obama even going as far as offering a controversial immigration
policy
• Analysis – Although most whites voted against Obama in both
2008 and 2012, the fact that such high percentages of
minorities voted Obama ensured his victory, showing that the
minority vote was crucial in deciding the outcome of the
election.
Disadvantaged - Women
• Women are still hugely under-represented politically in the USA.
• Women make up over 50% of the population, but…
• U.S. Senators 17.%
• Members of the U.S. House of Representatives 16.8%
• State Governors 12.%
• State-wide Elected Officials 22.4%
• State Legislators 23.6%
• Mayors of the 100 Largest Cities 12%
Disadvantaged - Women
• The UK, Argentina, Brazil and Germany
have all had women as their top Leaders.
• Hilary Clinton may be one of the front
runners for the 2016 Presidential election
yet women are still vastly
underrepresented.
• America now ranks ninety-eighth in the
world for percentage of women in its
national legislature, down from 59th in
1998. Just behind Kenya and Indonesia.
Reasons for Underrepresentation
• The common reason that is given for women not taking part
in politics is family commitments.
• Makes it more difficult for women to navigate around the
political arena.
• It is true that female candidates are more likely to be
asked about family issues than their male counterparts.
• However, some commentators have argued that this is not
really the main reason.
• The critical factor is that women are less likely to be
encouraged to run and less likely to be considered as a
potential candidate.
• Women believe that they wouldn’t do as well as men in an
election.
• Candidates are often recruited within the male-dominated
sphere.
Progress for Women
• Three out of the nine Supreme Court Justices are female.
• Nancy Pelosi has been speaker of the House of
Representatives since 1992. (She is Democrat so now leads
the minority)
• Hilary Clinton is the forerunner in the 2016 Presidential
race, she was former Secretary of State for Obama. Has
she paved the way for more women?
• During Obama’s first term, 36% of his appointments were
women.
• Half of President Obama's White House staff is composed
of women. This includes his highly-valued advisor, Valerie
Jarrett, an African American woman.
• White House Press Secretary, Jay Carney, recently said,
"The president believes that diversity is important because
having diversity increases the excellence of the pool of
advisers around you”
Video Clips…
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEelLKh
MteY – 2012 presidential election – end of
the “White Establishment”?
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKfmcq
v18iw – 2012 election by ethnicity
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aDqC
wXBn_0 – Obama state of the union 2015
Possible Exam Question
1. To what extent are some citizens in a
world power you have studied
disadvantaged politically?
20 marks