Anatomy of a Purple State, Christopher A. Cooper
Anatomy of a Purple State, Christopher A. Cooper
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Anatomy of a Purple State
A North Carolina Politics Primer

Author: Christopher A. Cooper

Narrator: Shawn Compton

Unabridged: 6 hr

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 04/08/2025


Synopsis

North Carolina represents a perfect distillation of the promise and peril of modern American democracy: hyperpartisanship, gerrymandering, dissatisfaction with the two-party system, the urban-rural divide—these issues are all brought into sharp relief in the Tar Heel State. For that reason, North Carolina politics and government are increasingly of interest not just to North Carolina citizens but to journalists, political observers, and people across the country. Political scientist Christopher A. Cooper, to whom the national media go when they need a quote about North Carolina politics, offers a primer made for all people, no matter their political leanings.

Listeners will be introduced to everything that has made North Carolina the most purple of purple states—from the state constitution and the influence of think tanks to the growing racial diversity of the state and the limitations on the governor's power. By explaining how we came to be in the political situation we are in, Cooper shows us where we might go next. And, as many have said, "As North Carolina goes, so goes the nation."

Reviews

Goodreads review by Skyler on December 31, 2024

Me reading about NC politics in 2024: damn I really wish my political science degree didn’t make me understand this as well as I do......more

Goodreads review by Chuck on March 16, 2025

Good book on North Carolina's current politics, its history, and how we ended up as a purple state. I came to read the book in a curious way. I got a call from a lawyer I'd worked with 40 years ago in Atlanta. He read the book and gave me a call. My mentions by the author relate to my time in the le......more

Goodreads review by Stephanie on October 03, 2024

NC is a big swing state in the 2024 election and it is a New South State in the cities and still staunchly Red in many of the smaller towns. Christopher Cooper's new book, Anatomy Of a Purple State gives the reader a deeper understanding of the political history of NC and where we are trending for t......more

Goodreads review by Kolin on March 18, 2025

Main Takeaways: - NC is becoming increasingly more polarized , nationalized , and purple in its makeup - The governor has very little power due to many factors including not having the line-item veto, yet the public perceives the position as having much power - The legislature has most of the power......more

Goodreads review by Naomi on November 10, 2024

If you're interested in politics, and especially if you live in NC, this is a must-read. It's concise and well-organized. His conclusions are an essential guide for anyone who wants to improve the quality of our legislative process and impact.......more