# When did politics become more about power and less the people?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-politics-become-more-about-power-and-less-the-people/833229>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [April 29, 2019, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-politics-become-more-about-power-and-less-the-people/833229 "2019-04-29T18:18:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 5

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**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2019, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-politics-become-more-about-power-and-less-the-people/833229/81 "2019-05-03T16:06:04Z")

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> [@puddleglum](#):
>
> 1964 was important but it was not a huge break with previous elections. The South was rock solid democrat from 1967-1948 in a way that no party comes close to today. Starting in 1948 the great migration of black people from the south to northern cities for war jobs and greater freedoms meant that the democrat party had two bases, the segregationist south and northern cities with large black populations. This contradiction lead gradually to democrats rejecting segregation at the national level and eventually at the state level. This was what the Thurmond’s run in 1948 was, an attempt to show the democrats that they still needed the segregationists to win elections.
> 
> Because of the seniority system the most powerful democrats in congress were segregationists and they were able to arrest progress on civil rights legislation during most of the 1950’s. At the same time the civil rights movement led in congress by Republicans and by Eishenhower’s attorney general in the courts, started convincing more and more people. Thus the salience of the race issue for the democrats was lessening and the power of the northern cities grew. In 1948 the Dixiecrat, Thurmond, got 87% of the vote in Mississippi and in 1960 the Dixiecrat Harry Byrd got 39% of the vote in Mississippi. Support for diehard segregationists even in the deepest south was waning. In 1964 the democrats finally abandoned the segregationists and lost several southern states, though not as many as they did in 1956. After the election in 1965 the congress passed the voting rights act and once again Republicans voted in much higher percentage for it than the democrats did, just like they had done for the civil rights bill. In 1968 the last segregationist candidate Wallace said there wasn’t a dimes worth of difference between the Republicans and Democrats.
> 
> Other issues such as the cold war, the Vietnam war, the skyrocketing crime rate, the great society, and the economy started to dominate the political landscape and the issue of race stopped dominating southern politics. Today southern voters are no more one issue voters about race than midwesterners are about bimetallism or New Englanders are about tariffs.

None of this really addresses my main points. It seems to me that you’re unable to see this in any way that might be even slightly negative for the Republican party. I don’t think there’s really any point to discussing this further, we appear to live in universes with different historical facts.

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**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2019, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-politics-become-more-about-power-and-less-the-people/833229/82 "2019-05-03T22:39:20Z")

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> [@puddleglum](#):
>
> 1964 was important but it was not a huge break with previous elections. The South was rock solid democrat from 1967-1948 in a way that no party comes close to today. Starting in 1948 the great migration of black people from the south to northern cities for war jobs and greater freedoms meant that the democrat party had two bases, the segregationist south and northern cities with large black populations. This contradiction lead gradually to democrats rejecting segregation at the national level and eventually at the state level. This was what the Thurmond’s run in 1948 was, an attempt to show the democrats that they still needed the segregationists to win elections.
> 
> Because of the seniority system the most powerful democrats in congress were segregationists and they were able to arrest progress on civil rights legislation during most of the 1950’s. At the same time the civil rights movement led in congress by Republicans and by Eishenhower’s attorney general in the courts, started convincing more and more people. Thus the salience of the race issue for the democrats was lessening and the power of the northern cities grew. In 1948 the Dixiecrat, Thurmond, got 87% of the vote in Mississippi and in 1960 the Dixiecrat Harry Byrd got 39% of the vote in Mississippi. Support for diehard segregationists even in the deepest south was waning. In 1964 the democrats finally abandoned the segregationists and lost several southern states, though not as many as they did in 1956. After the election in 1965 the congress passed the voting rights act and once again Republicans voted in much higher percentage for it than the democrats did, just like they had done for the civil rights bill. In 1968 the last segregationist candidate Wallace said there wasn’t a dimes worth of difference between the Republicans and Democrats.

To capsulize: conservatives are shit and liberals are heroes. I think that’s something we can all agree on.

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**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2019, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-politics-become-more-about-power-and-less-the-people/833229/83 "2019-05-03T23:07:04Z")

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**WARNING. BIG WALL O’TEXT AHEAD**

Here is the [Republican Platorm for 1960](https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/republican-party-platform-1960). I’m not talking about candidate speeches or ads, I’m talking the official document the party agreed to and to justify themselves to voters. And here’s what it said about civil rights.

> [@](#):
>
> Civil Rights  
> This nation was created to give expression, validity and purpose to our spiritual heritage—the supreme worth of the individual. In such a nation—a nation dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal—racial discrimination has no place. It can hardly be reconciled with a Constitution that guarantees equal protection under law to all persons. In a deeper sense, too, it is immoral and unjust. As to those matters within reach of political action and leadership, we pledge ourselves unreservedly to its eradication.
> 
> Equality under law promises more than the equal right to vote and transcends mere relief from discrimination by government. It becomes a reality only when all persons have equal opportunity, without distinction of race, religion, color or national origin, to acquire the essentials of life—housing, education and employment. The Republican Party—the party of Abraham Lincoln—from its very beginning has striven to make this promise a reality. It is today, as it was then, unequivocally dedicated to making the greatest amount of progress toward the objective.
> 
> We recognize that discrimination is not a problem localized in one area of the country, but rather a problem that must be faced by North and South alike. Nor is discrimination confined to the discrimination against Negroes. Discrimination in many, if not all, areas of the country on the basis of creed or national origin is equally insidious. Further we recognize that in many communities in which a century of custom and tradition must be overcome heartening and commendable progress has been made.
> 
> The Republican Party is proud of the civil rights record of the Eisenhower Administration. More progress has been made during the past eight years than in the preceding 80 years. We acted promptly to end discrimination in our nation’s capital. Vigorous executive action was taken to complete swiftly the desegregation of the armed forces, veterans’ hospitals, navy yards, and other federal establishments.
> 
> We supported the position of the Negro school children before the Supreme Court. We believe the Supreme Court school decision should be carried out in accordance with the mandate of the Court.
> 
> Although the Democratic-controlled Congress watered them down, the Republican Administration’s recommendations resulted in significant and effective civil rights legislation in both 1957 and 1960—the first civil rights statutes to be passed in more than 80 years.
> 
> Hundreds of Negroes have already been registered to vote as a result of Department of Justice action, some in counties where Negroes did not vote before. The new law will soon make it possible for thousands and thousands of Negroes previously disenfranchised to vote.
> 
> By executive order, a committee for the elimination of discrimination in government employment has been reestablished with broadened authority. Today, nearly one-fourth of all federal employees are Negro.
> 
> The President’s Committee on Government Contracts, under the chairmanship of Vice President Nixon, has become an impressive force for the elimination of discriminatory employment practices of private companies that do business with the government.
> 
> Other important achievements include initial steps toward the elimination of segregation in federally-aided housing; the establishment of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, which enforces federal civil rights laws; and the appointment of the bi-partisan Civil Rights Commission, which has prepared a significant report that lays the groundwork for further legislative action and progress.
> 
> The Republican record is a record of progress—not merely promises. Nevertheless, we recognize that much remains to be done.
> 
> Each of the following pledges is practical and within realistic reach of accomplishment. They are serious—not cynical—pledges made to result in maximum progress.
> 
> 1. Voting.  
> We pledge:
> 
> Continued vigorous enforcement of the civil rights laws to guarantee the right to vote to all citizens in all areas of the country.
> 
> Legislation to provide that the completion of six primary grades in a state accredited school is conclusive evidence of literacy for voting purposes.
> 
> 1. Public Schools.  
> We pledge:
> 
> The Department of Justice will continue its vigorous support of court orders for school desegregation. Desegregation suits now pending involve at least 39 school districts. Those suits and others already concluded will affect most major cities in which school segregation is being practiced.
> 
> It will use the new authority provided by the Civil Rights Act of 1960 to prevent obstruction of court orders.
> 
> We will propose legislation to authorize the Attorney General to bring actions for school desegregation in the name of the United States in appropriate cases, as when economic coercion or threat of physical harm is used to deter persons from going to court to establish their rights.
> 
> Our continuing support of the President’s proposal, to extend federal aid and technical assistance to schools which in good faith attempted to desegregate.
> 
> We oppose the pretense of fixing a target date 3 years from now for the mere submission of plans for school desegregation. Slow-moving school districts would construe it as a three-year moratorium during which progress would cease, postponing until 1963 the legal process to enforce compliance. We believe that each of the pending court actions should proceed as the Supreme Court has directed and that in no district should there be any such delay.
> 
> 1. Employment.  
> We pledge:
> 
> Continued support for legislation to establish a Commission on Equal Job Opportunity to make permanent and to expand with legislative backing the excellent work being performed by the President’s Committee on Government Contracts.
> 
> Appropriate legislation to end the discriminatory membership practices of some labor union locals, unless such practices are eradicated promptly by the labor unions themselves.
> 
> Use of the full-scale review of existing state laws, and of prior proposals for federal legislation, to eliminate discrimination in employment now being conducted by the Civil Rights Commission, for guidance in our objective of developing a Federal-State program in the employment area.
> 
> Special consideration of training programs aimed at developing the skills of those now working in marginal agricultural employment so that they can obtain employment in industry, notably in the new industries moving into the South.
> 
> 1. Housing.  
> We pledge:
> 
> Action to prohibit discrimination in housing constructed with the aid of federal subsidies.
> 
> 1. Public Facilities and Services.  
> We pledge:
> 
> Removal of any vestige of discrimination in the operation of federal facilities or procedures which may at any time be found.
> 
> Opposition to the use of federal funds for the construction of segregated community facilities.
> 
> Action to ensure that public transportation and other government authorized services shall be free from segregation.
> 
> 1. Legislative Procedure.  
> We pledge:
> 
> Our best efforts to change present Rule 22 of the Senate and other appropriate Congressional procedures that often make unattainable proper legislative implementation of constitutional guarantees.
> 
> We reaffirm the constitutional right to peaceable assembly to protest discrimination in private business establishments. We applaud the action of the businessmen who have abandoned discriminatory practices in retail establishments, and we urge others to follow their example.
> 
> Finally we recognize that civil rights is a responsibility not only of states and localities; it is a national problem and a national responsibility. The federal government should take the initiative in promoting inter-group conferences among those who, in their communities, are earnestly seeking solutions of the complex problems of desegregation—to the end that closed channels of communication may be opened, tensions eased, and a cooperative solution of local problems may be sought.
> 
> In summary, we pledge the full use of the power, resources and leadership of the federal government to eliminate discrimination based on race, color, religion or national origin and to encourage understanding and good will among all races and creeds.

The [1960 Democratic Platform](https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/1960-democratic-party-platform)also had a Civil Rights plank, but it’s actually nowhere as specific as the Republican pledges.

Now, here’s the [1968 Republican Platform.](http://janda.org/politxts/PartyPlatforms/Republican/rep.968.html) I’ll save you some time here, there is no plank specifically about “Civil Rights.” But here’s the overall plank on domestic affairs.

> [@](#):
>
> DOMESTIC POLICY
> 
> A peaceful, reunified America, with opportunity and orderly progress for all – these are our overriding domestic goals.
> 
> Clearly we must think anew about the relationship of man and his government, of man and his fellow-man. We must act anew to enlarge the opportunity and autonomy of the individual and the range of his choice.
> 
> Republican leadership welcomes challenge.
> 
> We eagerly anticipate new achievement.
> 
> A new, vital partnership of government at all levels will be a prime Republican objective. We will broaden the base of decision-making. We will create a new mix of private responsibility and public participation in the solution of social problems.
> 
> There is so much which urgently needs to be done.
> 
> In many areas poverty and its attendant ills afflict large numbers of Americans. Distrust and fear plague us all. Our inner cities teem with poor, crowded in slums. Many rural areas are run down and barren of challenge or opportunity. Minorities among us – particularly the black community, the Mexican-American, the American Indian – suffer disproportionately.
> 
> Americans critically need – and are eager for – new and dynamic leadership. We offer that leadership – a leadership to eradicate bitterness and discrimination – responsible, compassionate leadership that will keep its word – leadership every citizen can count on to move this nation forward again, confident, reunited, and sure of purpose.
> 
> Crisis of the Cities
> 
> For today and tomorrow, there must be – and we pledge – a vigorous effort nation-wide, to transform the blighted areas of cities into centers of opportunity and progress, culture and talent.
> 
> For tomorrow, new cities must be developed – and smaller cities with room to grow, expanded to house and serve another 100 million Americans by the turn of the century.
> 
> The need is critical. Millions of our people are suffering cruelly from expanding metropolitan blight – congestion, crime, polluted air and water, poor housing, inadequate educational, economic and recreational opportunities. This continuing decay of urban centers – the deepening misery and limited opportunity of citizens living there – is intolerable in America. We promise effective, sustainable action enlisting new energies by the private sector and by governments at all levels. We pledge:
> 
> Presidential leadership which will buttress state and local government;
> 
> Vigorous federal support to innovative state programs using new policy techniques such as urban development corporations to help rebuild our cities;
> 
> Energetic, positive leadership to enforce statutory and constitutional protections to eliminate discrimination;
> 
> Concern for the unique problems of citizens long disadvantaged in our total society by race, color, national origin, creed, or sex;
> 
> A greater involvement of vast private enterprise resources in the improvement of urban life, induced by tax and other incentives;
> 
> New technological and administrative approaches through flexible federal programs enabling and encouraging communities to solve their own problems;
> 
> A complete overhaul and restructuring of the competing and overlapping jumble of federal programs to enable state and local governments to focus on priority objectives.
> 
> These principles as urgently apply to rural poverty and decay. There must be a marked improvement of economic and educational opportunities to relieve widespread distress. Success with urban problems in fact requires acceleration of rural development in order to stem the flow of people from the countryside to the city.
> 
> Air and water pollution, already acute in many areas, require vigorous state and federal action, regional planning, and maximum cooperation among neighboring cities, counties and states. We will encourage this planning and cooperation and also spur industrial participation by means of economic incentives.
> 
> Skyrocketing building costs and interest rates have crippled home building and threaten a housing crisis in the nation, endangering the prospect of a decent home and a suitable living environment for every family. We will vigorously implement the Republican-conceived homeownership program for lower income families and also the Republican-sponsored rent certificate program. Economic incentives will be developed to attract private industry and capital to the low-cost housing market. By reducing interest rates through responsible fiscal and monetary policy we will lower the costs of homeownership, and new technologies and programs will be developed to stimulate low-cost methods of housing rehabilitation. Local communities will be encouraged to adopt uniform, modern building codes, research in cost-cutting technology through private enterprise will be accelerated, and innovative state and local programs will be supported. We will also stimulate the investment of “sweat equity” by home owners.
> 
> Our metropolitan transportation systems Ð the lifelines of our cities Ð have become tangled webs of congestion which not only create vast citizen inconvenience, discontent and economic inefficiency, but also tend to barricade inner city people against job opportunities in suburban areas. We will encourage priority attention by private enterprise and all levels of government to sound planning and the rapid development of improved mass transportation systems. Additionally, in the location of federal buildings and installations and the awarding of federal contracts, account will be taken of such factors as traffic congestion, housing, and the effect on community development.
> 
> Americans are acutely aware that none of these objectives can be achieved unless order through law and justice is maintained in our cities. Fire and looting, causing millions of dollars of property damage, have brought great suffering to home owners and small businessmen, particularly in black communities least able to absorb catastrophic losses. The Republican Party strongly advocates measures to alleviate and remove the frustrations that contribute to riots. We simultaneously support decisive action to quell civil disorder, relying primarily on state and local governments to deal with these conditions.
> 
> America has adequate peaceful and lawful means for achieving even fundamental social change if the people wish it. We will not tolerate violence!

_Surely there has to be something, somewhere about civil rights, or at least a Republican pledge to stamp out the vestiges of de jure discrimination, ensure voting rights, or something like that, right? I found this._

> [@](#):
>
> In recognition of the abilities of these younger citizens, their desire to participate, and their service in the nation’s defense, we believe that lower age groups should be accorded the right to vote. We believe that states which have not yet acted should reevaluate their positions with respect to 18-year-old voting, and that each such state should decide this matter for itself. We urge the states to act now.

And also, this.

> [@](#):
>
> Indian Affairs
> 
> The plight of American Indians and Eskimos is a national disgrace. Contradictory government policies have led to intolerable deprivation for these citizens. We dedicate ourselves to the promotion of policies responsive to their needs and desires and will seek the full participation of these people and their leaders in the formulation of such policies.
> 
> Inequality of jobs, of education, of housing and of health blight their lives today. We believe the Indian and Eskimo must have an equal opportunity to participate fully in American society. Moreover, the uniqueness and beauty of these native cultures must be recognized and allowed to flourish.

I’ll spare you all from the [1968 Democratic Platform](https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/1968-democratic-party-platform) let’s just say they have a section called “Toward a Single Society” and its opening is 382 words, _before the Democrats get into specifics._

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**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2019, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-politics-become-more-about-power-and-less-the-people/833229/84 "2019-05-04T00:29:59Z")

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> [@puddleglum](#):
>
> Starting in 1948 the great migration of black people from the south to northern cities for war jobs…

Which war would that be?

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