Anatomy of a Purple State

216 pp., 6.125 x 9.25, 1 halftone, 1 fig., 18 graphs, 2 tables, appends., notes, bibl., index

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-4696-8171-9
Published: October 2024
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4696-8170-2
Published: October 2024
E-book EPUB ISBN: 978-1-4696-8172-6
Published: October 2024

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North Carolina represents a perfect distillation of the promise and peril of modern American democracy: hyperpartisanship, gerrymandering, dissatisfaction with the two-party system, the urban-rural divide—these issues are all brought into sharp relief in the Tar Heel State. For that reason, North Carolina politics and government are increasingly of interest not just to North Carolina citizens but to journalists, political observers, and people across the country. Political scientist Christopher A. Cooper, to whom the national media go when they need a quote about North Carolina politics, offers a primer made for all people, no matter their political leanings.

Readers will be introduced to everything that has made North Carolina the most purple of purple states—from the state constitution and the influence of think tanks to the growing racial diversity of the state and the limitations on the governor's power. By explaining how we came to be in the political situation we are in, Cooper shows us where we might go next. And, as many have said, "As North Carolina goes, so goes the nation."

About the Author

Christopher A. Cooper is the Madison Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Public Affairs and director of the Haire Institute for Public Policy at Western Carolina University. In addition to two books, he has written for numerous publications, including The Assembly, the Washington Post, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Charlotte Observer, and the News and Observer.
For more information about Christopher A. Cooper, visit the Author Page.

Reviews

"Analysis of the curious politics of North Carolina, a definitively purple state . . . . A useful handbook for students of political trends throughout the U.S. in a turbulent election year."—Kirkus Reviews

"[Cooper's] book achieves the promise of its title; it is a brisk read, yet a well-researched rundown of how North Carolina found its way into its purple status . . . . Along the way, Cooper introduces us to some true characters and shenanigans from the Old North State's political history, as he details three trends roiling the state’s politics today — nationalization, competition and polarization."—The Fayetteville Observer

"Chris Cooper rarely struggles to answer an interview question. From the state’s first constitution to last week’s voter registration numbers, North Carolina’s resident political pundit is always prepared to discuss anything. But he felt like his answers to one question—what book would he recommend for a rundown on North Carolina politics?—were a bit outdated. So he wrote that book."—INDY Week

"Read Anatomy of a Purple State and you will know more about North Carolina politics than your neighbors."—D.G. Martin, Chapelboro

"Based on years of conversations, research, writing and reflection, as well as Cooper’s passion for helping more people understand NC politics and the role they can play in shaping it."—NC Local News Workshop

"Cooper deftly explains how North Carolina grew from a one-party state of the Old South into the purple state we have today. As a primer on North Carolina state politics, this is as good as it gets."—Jim Morrill, former political reporter for the Charlotte Observer