Political scientist V. O. Key in 1949 described North Carolina as a "progressive plutocracy." He argued that in the areas of industrial development, public education, and race relations, North Carolina appeared progressive when compared to other southern states. Reconsidering Key's evaluation nearly sixty years later, contributors to this volume find North Carolina losing ground as a progressive leader in the South. The "new politics" of the state involves a combination of new and old: new opportunities and challenges have forced the state to change, but the old culture still remains a powerful force. In the eleven essays collected here, leading scholars of North Carolina politics offer a systematic analysis of North Carolina's politics and policy, placed in the context of its own history as well as the politics and policies of other states. Topics discussed include the evolution of politics and political institutions; the roles of governors, the judicial branch, interest groups, and party systems; and the part played by economic development and environmental policy. Contributors also address how geography affects politics within the state, region, and nation. Designed with students and interested citizens in mind, this collection provides an excellent introduction to contemporary North Carolina politics and government. Contributors: Hunter Bacot, Elon University Christopher A. Cooper, Western Carolina University Thomas F. Eamon, East Carolina University Jack D. Fleer, Wake Forest University Dennis O. Grady, Appalachian State University Ferrel Guillory, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Sean Hildebrand, Western Carolina University Jonathan Kanipe, Town Manager, Catawba, North Carolina H. Gibbs Knotts, Western Carolina University Adam J. Newmark, Appalachian State University Charles Prysby, University of North Carolina at Greensboro Ruth Ann Strickland, Appalachian State University James H. Svara, Arizona State University Timothy Vercellotti, Rutgers University

Democrat James B. Hunt had a long career in politics, serving as governor of North Carolina from 1977 through 1985 and then again from 1993 through 2001. He not only exemplified the progressive tradition of earlier North Carolina governors, but transformed the tradition to embrace a concern for minorities, women's rights and consumer issues. This biography of James B. Hunt begins with a discussion of the influence of his father, a hard-driving federal official who demanded much from his oldest son, his mother, a college-educated teacher who encouraged him to study and work hard, and his hometown of Rock Ridge, where he developed his strong community ethic but had to deal with the town's support for racial segregation and tobacco. It chronicles his years at North Carolina State College, where he was student president for two terms, his transformation from a campaign volunteer for Terry Sanford to a political insider at both the state and national levels, and his close relationships with Sanford and his key adviser Bert Bennett. The author then discusses how Hunt, still unknown to most of the public, defeated candidates with more campaign money to become lieutenant governor of the state in 1972, and describes his first two successful campaigns for the governorship, and the actions he took and programs he implemented in his first term as governor.

Governors in the United States are becoming prime policy makers in state and national politics. They preside over vast and increasingly important administrative structures through numerous appointments of key personnel and the management of growing budgets. Governors provide leadership for state legislatures by advocating their policy agendas, and by mobilizing public opinion and political resources. Through these roles, governors have far reaching influence in citizen's daily lives. This work examines these major political leaders by closely examining the careers of five recent governors (1960D2001): - Terry Sanford (1961D1965) - Robert (Bob) W. Scott (1969D1973) - James E. (Jim) Holshouser Jr. (1973D1977) - James G. (Jim) Martin (1985D1993) - James B. (Jim) Hunt Jr. (1977D1985; 1993D2001) ...and compares their performances in office with governors in other states. No other book has looked as closely at the persons who serve as governors during this time period.