This text is designed to explore the historical and current level of African-American political participation, to assess the fruits of participation, and to provide recommendations for improving the efficacy of African-American political participation in the future. Part 1 focuses on the historic struggle for securing and expanding African-American voting rights; part two focuses on the economic, legal, philosophic and cultural context of African-American politics; part three focuses on prospects for African-American politics in the future - particularly the opportunities to develop successful electoral coalitions; and part four provides specific recommendations to produce fuller inclusion of African-Americans in the American polity. By providing a balanced account from the national perspective, this volume assesses the historical and current positions of African-Americans in politics throughout the nation. It assesses the impact of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and clarifies the significance of the struggle for voting rights - and how extensively equitable voting rights have been achieved. By focusing on the economic, legal and cultural contexts of African-American politics, it evaluates both the potential for success and the built-in limitations for American society in improving black status and everyday life-chances through the political arena. The possibilities for coalition politics are carefully analyzed - providing useful insights into the pitfalls and opportunities of coalition building among minorities and between minorities and various sectors of whites. The book also makes recommendations for increasing African-American political participation and provides strategies for the future.