Latinos and the U.S. Political System : Two-Tiered Pluralism

Bringing together political science research on Latinos and an analysis of American politics from the vantage point of the Latino political condition, Rodney Hero presents a comprehensive discussion of contemporary Latino politics. The distinct and tenuous nature of Latino status in the U.S. has made it difficult to explain their unique status. This uniqueness stems from a variety of circumstances, including the differences among Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans, and their ambivalent racial classification (white but not Anglo, or nonwhite but not black).Hero introduces the concept of two-tiered pluralism, which describes the political situation for Latinos and other minorities in which equality is largely formal or procedural, but not substantive. He observes that this formal but marginalized inclusion exists for minorities in most facets of the political process. In his critical overview of American politics, Hero explores the major theoretical perspectives that have been used to understand Latino cultural politics; he contrasts the three largest Hispanic population in this country; and he considers major political activities and American institutions with specific reference to Latinos. This timely work addresses the politics of an increasingly important segment of the U.S. population and an area in which previous research has been scant. Bringing together political science research on Latinos and an analysis of American politics from the vantage point of the Latino political condition, Rodney E. Hero presents a comprehensive discussion of contemporary Latino politics. He points out that "the 9distinct' and 9tenuous' nature of Latino status in the United States has made it difficult to develop explanatory frameworks appropriate to their unique status". This "uniqueness" stems from a variety of circumstances, including the differences among Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans, and their ambivalent racial classification (white but not "Anglo," or nonwhite but not black). Introducing the concept of "two-tiered pluralism," Hero offers a distinct interpretation of Latino politics. Two-tiered pluralism describes the political situation for Latinos and other minorities in which equality is largely formal or procedural, but not substantive. Hero observes that this formal but marginalized inclusion exists for minorities in most facets of the political process. This two-tiered pluralism represents a political dilemma for those caught in the "second tier." They can choose to be ignored and hope for change in the long run or they can support and accept policies (such as "affirmative action") and take on labels (such as "protected class") that indicate symbolic recognition while signifying inferior status. In his critical overview of American politics, Hero explores the major theoretical perspectives that have been used to understand Latino "cultural politics"; he compares and contrasts the three largest Hispanic populations in this country; and he considers major political activities and institutions of the American political system with specific reference to Latinos. He examines political attitudes among Latinos; federal, state, and local political goals; and policy issues that are of specific importance to Latino communities. This timely and comprehensive work addresses the politics of an increasingly important segment of the U.S. population and an area in which previous research has been scant Bringing together political science research on Latinos and an analysis of American politics from the vantage point of the Latino political condition, Rodney E. Hero presents a comprehensive discussion of contemporary Latino politics. He points out that "the ádistinct' and átenuous' nature of Latino status in the United States has made it difficult to develop explanatory frameworks appropriate to their unique status". This "uniqueness" stems from a variety of circumstances, including the differences among Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans, and their ambivalent racial classification (white but not "Anglo," or nonwhite but not black). Introducing the concept of "two-tiered pluralism," Hero offers a distinct interpretation of Latino politics. Two-tiered pluralism describes the political situation for Latinos and other minorities in which equality is largely formal or procedural, but not substantive. Hero observes that this formal but marginalized inclusion exists for minorities in most facets of the political process. This two-tiered pluralism represents a political dilemma for those caught in the "second tier." They can choose to be ignored and hope for change in the long run or they can support and accept policies (such as "affirmative action") and take on labels (such as "protected class") that indicate symbolic recognition while signifying inferior status. In his critical overview of American politics, Hero explores the major theoretical perspectives that have been used to understand Latino "cultural politics"; he compares and contrasts the three largest Hispanic populations in this country; and he considers major political activities and institutions of the American political system with specific reference to Latinos. He examines political attitudes among Latinos; federal, state, and local political goals; and policy issues that are of specific importance to Latino communities. This timely and comprehensive work addresses the politics of an increas Bringing together political science research on Latinos and an analysis of American politics from the vantage point of the Latino political condition, Rodney Hero presents a comprehensive discussion of contemporary Latino politics. The distinct and tenuous nature of Latino status in the U.S. has made it difficult to explain their unique status. This'uniqueness'stems from a variety of circumstances, including the differences among Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans, and their ambivalent racial classification (white but not'Anglo,'or nonwhite but not black). Hero introduces the concept of'two-tiered pluralism,'which describes the political situation for Latinos and other minorities in which equality is largely formal or procedural, but not substantive. He observes that this formal but marginalized inclusion exists for minorities in most facets of the political process. In his critical overview of American politics, Hero explores the major theoretical perspectives that have been used to understand Latino'cultural politics'; he contrasts the three largest Hispanic population in this country; and he considers major political activities and American institutions with specific reference to Latinos. This timely work addresses the politics of an increasingly important segment of the U.S. population and an area in which previous research has been scant.