1: Chapters
- Page ID
- 276903
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 1.1: Policy Change in the Deep South- An Analysis of Three States
- This page analyzes policy changes in the Deep South through Kingdon’s framework, focusing on Alabama's judicial reforms, South Carolina's Home Rule Act, and Georgia's constitutional evolution. It emphasizes the roles of policy entrepreneurs and external events in facilitating reforms despite traditional resistance. Notably, the 2022 recompilation of Alabama's constitution aimed to remove racist language but failed to tackle deeper governance issues and local autonomy remains constrained.
- 1.2: The System Works As Intended- Alabama’s 1901 Constitution and Financing Public Education
- This page outlines Alabama's historically discriminatory property tax system and its adverse impact on public education, particularly for Black communities. Landmark cases like Knight v. Alabama and Lynch v. Alabama reveal the enduring effects of racially biased constitutional changes since 1901. Despite efforts and court rulings recognizing these inequalities, meaningful reforms remain elusive.
- 1.3: The Elusiveness of Tax and Constitutional Reform
- This page discusses Professor Susan Pace Hamill's critique of Alabama's regressive tax policy, highlighting its detrimental effects on poor residents and education funding due to the 1901 Constitution. Despite attempts at reform, including Governor Riley's failed tax plan, the political landscape remains hostile to change. Grassroots efforts and emotional connections with voters are emphasized as essential for overcoming entrenched resistance and addressing social issues.
- 1.4: A New Way Forward for Alabama Prisons
- This page critiques Alabama's prison system, highlighting issues like violence, neglect, and overcrowding. It chronicles federal interventions through lawsuits leading to gradual reforms, while also emphasizing the exploitation tied to prison labor and the importance of rehabilitation. The text advocates for policies that ensure the dignity and rights of incarcerated individuals, proposing expanded mental health services, educational programs, and support for reintegration.
- 1.5: Political Indifference and the Withering of Democracy in Alabama
- This page examines Alabama's 1901 Constitution, designed to entrench white supremacy and disenfranchise African Americans, contrasting it with the more inclusive 1868 Constitution. The chapter highlights how restrictive voting laws, alongside elite manipulation of political power, perpetuate inequality and suppress voter turnout. It discusses broader U.S. trends in voter suppression and distrust in government, exacerbated by socioeconomic factors, gerrymandering, and inadequate public services.
- 1.6: Epilogue
- This page discusses "A Century of Controversy," which examines Alabama's 1901 Constitution as a tool for white supremacy and democratic erosion. It highlights lawmakers' neglect for reforms, low voter turnout, and institutional distrust. Although a 2022 revision removed racist language, experts assert that significant flaws persist and that thorough reform is essential for meaningful progress in Alabama.
- 1.7: Notes on Process
- This page describes the development of a no-cost Open Educational Resources collection, emphasizing academic quality. In summer 2023, outreach to faculty across Alabama universities promoted participation. Submitted works underwent peer review and received feedback. Editing involved Grammarly and AI tools, supported by the Open Education Network and Coko Foundation for publication. The completed resources are accessible via a Pressbooks site.


