“Walk With Me In White”: Autonomy In a Herrenvolk Democracy

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2011

Department

Political Science, International Development, and International Affairs

School

Social Science and Global Studies

Abstract

This article argues that Americans operate with a concept and practice of political autonomy centered on a notion of “mastery,” which is inextricably linked to race, gender, and class hierarchy. I adopt Max Weber's concept of mastery and use it to broaden the construct of a Herrenvolk democracy beyond its traditional association with White supremacy. I then use this theoretical framework to illuminate the emergence of segregation in Atlanta between 1880 and 1910. This period marks a crucial transformation in the concept of race in the United States, as the paternalism of Southern agricultural relations is transposed by Southern Progressives into more urban and industrial settings. I conclude by raising the possibility that the concept of political autonomy currently operative in the United States shares important common ground with the ideological achievements of the Southern Progressives, confounding institutional attempts to foster citizen autonomy.

Publication Title

Du Bois Review

Volume

8

Issue

2

First Page

329

Last Page

357

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