Black Visions: The Roots of Contemporary African American Political Ideologies

In this work, Michael C. Dawson brings us the most comprehensive analysis to date of the complex relationship of black political thought to black political identity and behaviour. Combining an historical perspective with conceptual sophistication and empirical evidence, Dawson identifies which political ideologies are supported by blacks, then traces their historical roots and examines their effects on black public opinion, not only among intellectuals and activists, but also at the grassroots level. Although many (mostly white) commentators have argued that black political thought falls within the realms of American liberalism, many black commentators regard black political thought as a rejection of American…