Inside the Carnival: Unmasking Louisiana Politics

By Wayne Parent

Book Overview

With both an entertainer's eye and a social scientist's rigor, Wayne Parent subjects Louisiana's politics to rational and empirical analysis, seeking and finding coherent reasons for the state's well-known unique history. He resists resorting to vague hand-waving about "exoticism," while at the same time he brings to life the juicy stories that illustrate his points. Pa rent's main theme is that Louisiana's ethnic mix, natural resources, and geography define a culture that in turn produces its unique political theater. He gives special attention to immigration patterns and Louisiana's abundant supply of oil and gas, as well as to the fascinating variations in political temperaments in different parts of the state. Most important, he delivers thorough and concise explanations of Louisiana's unusual legal system, odd election rules, overwrought constitutional history, convoluted voting patterns, and unmatched record of political corruption. In a new epilogue, Parent discusses how the hurricanes of 2005 will affect state politics and politicians as Louisiana struggles to regain its footing in the New South.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807131989
• ISBN13: 9780807131985
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: LSU Press
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.6" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Just like being in one of Wayne's college lectures

I had Wayne Parent for a Louisiana Politics class at LSU and it was always intriguing. Wayne brings his broad knowledge of insider politics and his gift of storytelling to this book. You learn while being completely entertained! It is just like Wayne is giving one of his lectures. Highly recommend!

Subway or Pirogue: a good read either way.

Parents' writing brings clarity to the dizzying discussion of Louisiana politics. He successfully explains how oil & gas, corruption, and coalition building blend together to make such a colorful and unique political culture. Without a judgmental or partisan bias Inside the Carnival is able to explain some of the haunting questions of Louisiana Politics with simplicity, like: Where did Governor "Buddy" Roemer come from? And was the Long Juggernaut really that... powerful... crazy...or close to the White House? This book is far from that of a standard textbook, which I suspect it will be used for, for years to come. It is engaging and made me laugh out loud. Enjoyable for the scholars steeped in the subject or someone looking to read what all the hubbub in Louisiana is about. Enjoy and "Lache pas la patate!"

Backstory on the Carnival

This book is a delightful romp of a lesson in state history, civics, law, and political science all rolled into one.Prepare to be enlightened and entertained as Parent teases out and makes sense of the many ingredients that have come to shape the distinct flavor of Louisiana politics. It's the tale of how we've gotten here and what might lie ahead... and I can now drop the words "Napoleonic Code" into conversation with confidence.