
Locked Out
Felon Disenfranchisement and American Democracy
Oxford University Press Inc
Published on 25. May 2006
Book
Hardback
384 pages
978-0-19-514932-6 (ISBN)
Description
5.4 million Americans--1 in every 40 voting age adults-- are denied the right to participate in democratic elections because of a past or current felony conviction. In several American states, 1 in 4 black men cannot vote due to a felony conviction. In a country that prides itself on universal suffrage, how did the United States come to deny a voice to such a large percentage of its citizenry? What are the consequences of large-scale disenfranchisement--both for election outcomes, and for public policy more generally? Locked Out exposes one of the most important, yet little known, threats to the health of American democracy today. It reveals the centrality of racial factors in the origins of these laws, and their impact on politics today. Marshalling the first real empirical evidence on the issue to make a case for reform, the authors' path-breaking analysis will inform all future policy and political debates on the laws governing the political rights of criminals.
Reviews / Votes
"Few issues undermine the legitimacy of democratic systems more than the disenfranchisement of ex-felons from voting. In Locked Out, Manza and Uggen examine the legal, political, and social-historical context of this peculiarly American dilemma. The book is masterful, a must-read for those who seek answers to why and how felon disenfranchisement exists and what can be done to hasten its demise."--Robert J. Sampson, co-author of Shared Beginnings, Divergent Lives> "This is an important book. Energetically researched and clearly written, Locked Out is a major contribution to public debate about the vexed issue of felon disfranchisement. It sheds light into one of the dark corners of American political life, suggesting that the exclusion of millions of felons and ex-felons remains a significant shortcoming of our democracy."--Alex Keyssar, author of Right to Vote "Locked Out's carefully researched argument for changing our thinking on felon disenfranchisement is also a powerful blueprint for realigning state election laws to match our country's deep democratic faith."--Lani Guinier, co-author of The Miner's Canary "The United States stands out among all nations in the world for the large numbers of people it incarcerates, and for then stripping them of the right to vote, sometimes for life. In this brilliant and timely book Manza and Uggen probe the roots of this phenomenon in American history, especially our racial history, and they show us how felon disenfranchisement continues to distort American democracy, and to influence electoral outcomes."--Frances Fox Piven, author of Why Americans Still Don't Vote, And Why Politicians Want It That WayMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Laminated cover
Illustrations
Numerous tables and figures
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
704 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-514932-6 (9780195149326)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
04/2008
Oxford University Press Inc
€33.50
Shipment within 15-20 days

E-Book
03/2006
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€19.49
Available for download

E-Book
03/2006
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€19.49
Available for download
Persons
Jeff Manza is Professor of Sociology and Associate Director of the Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University.
Christopher Uggen is Professor of Sociology and McKnight Presidential Fellow at the University of Minnesota.
Christopher Uggen is Professor of Sociology and McKnight Presidential Fellow at the University of Minnesota.
Author
Professor of SociologyProfessor of Sociology, Northwestern University
Professor of SociologyProfessor of Sociology, University of Minnesota
Content
Preface and Acknowledgements ; Introduction ; 1. Foundations ; 2. The Racial Origins of Felon Disenfranchisement ; 3. The Disenfranchised Population ; 4. The Contemporary Disenfranchisement Regime ; 5. Political Attitudes, Voting, and Criminal Behavior ; 6. Disenfranchisement and Civic Reintegration ; 7. The Impact of Disenfranchisement on Political Participation ; 8. A Threat to Democracy? ; 9. Public Opinion and Felon Disenfranchisement ; 10. Unlocking the Vote ; Appendices ; Notes