Unintended Consequences, Again

Richard A. Epstein, writing for The Hoover Institution, on the topic of the unintended consequences of race-conscious Congressional districts used to increase minority representation in the House.

What is clear, regrettably clear, is that maximizing black representation upsets the overall political configuration. The creation of more majority-minority districts will move the representatives of those districts to the left, given the strong level of black support for the Democratic Party. By the same token, the remaining majority-majority districts will become more conservative as their candidates for office need not worry about the political preferences of non-members. Looked at in the round, race-conscious rules in drawing district lines lead to increased polarization of politics.

That process could, in part, explain current high levels of polarization.