Choice-Rezension

This volume demonstrates the close correlation between a president's political party affiliation and expanding and/or contracting civil rights interpretations and enforcement by federal agencies. Shull's thesis is that presidential influence shapes the course of civil rights policies and that every president is a major catalyst for civil rights policy innovations. Defining civil rights as bestowed by the government, unlike civil liberties, which have constitutional protections, Shull (Univ. of New Orleans) skillfully utilizes six legislative and executive civil rights cases to reinforce his assertions. While Reagan cut back on federal civil rights protections and Bush extended his retrenchment policies, Clinton reversed this trend. Shull also contrasts the strong record of Lyndon Johnson to the conservative reactions of Nixon and Ford. Since World War II, civil rights issues have been particularly salient for US presidents, partly because of African Americans' heightened quest for racial equality. Especially helpful to students at al levels are tables of civil rights policies on race from 1954 to 1998. Also offered are a comparative perspective on president's public communications on civil rights and the dimensions of attention, support, and symbolism. Finally, despite some limitations, Shull suggests that civil rights provides a basis for examining whether presidents matter and how much policy change occurs. A major contribution to a controversial subject. C. G. Hess; Lander University