Is the South Still Different?

Democrats in the House of Representatives 1981-1990

Abstract

For several decades southern Democrats constituted a conservative bloc within the Democratic caucus in the House of Representatives. After the enfranchisement of southern blacks in the J 960s and the development of a two party system in the South, many southern Democratic representatives began to compile more moderate voting records. By the 1980s, some scholars were emphasizing the greater unity of the Democratic caucus. This paper examines regional differences among House Democrats in several policy areas. It is argued that, on most issues, the Southern Democratic delegation is still a distinctly conservative bloc within the Democratic caucus.