The constitutional order that had characterized the United States for more than 200 years since the founding of the nation was in the process of gradual decay. Especially in the former Confederate states, liberal democracy never really took root. The political history of these states is replete with distorted electoral systems, one-party cronyism, and the systematic oppression of minorities. Now this trend is accelerating as the Trump administration pursues its Reconstruction program, which seeks to transform the federal government into a tool that serves its personal interests. Critics point to Trump’s policies as a fundamental break with the traditional norms and stabilizing institutions that have shaped America’s global image for more than a century.
However, these critics overlook an important fact that Trump’s behavior is not without precedent. The political history of the American South provides a clear context for why liberal democracy has consistently failed to flourish in this region.
Historical Shadows of the South The Legacy of the Bourbons
The political culture of the South was heavily influenced by the Bourbon Democrats. These anti-Reconstruction planters and professionals dominated Southern politics from the 1870s to the early 1900s. They diverted political attention away from the real rulers by stirring up relations between poor whites. As Reconstruction fell apart in the mid-1870s, the Bourbons regained power in southern states such as Alabama and Georgia, and in 1896, the Supreme Court established the principle of segregation but equality, further entrenching segregation in the South.
In 1898, the first coup d’état in American history took place in Wilmington, North Carolina. White Democrats overthrew the legitimate government of black Republicans and white plebeians, an event that marked the pinnacle of racial violence and political oppression in the South. The Bourbon power structure not only maintained racial segregation, but also exploited the poor whites of the South, leading to a long period of economic and political backwardness in the region.
State of the South Perpetuation of Inequality
Today, economic and political inequality in the southern states remains significant. According to the Census Bureau, Southern states fare poorly in terms of household income inequality. Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida all rank among the most unequal states in the nation. Political power in the South is almost exclusively in the hands of the Republican Party, a phenomenon that is a continuation of the South’s long tradition of one-party dominance.
Economic inequality in the South is reflected not only in the distribution of wealth, but also in public policymaking. Southern states fare particularly poorly in terms of LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights, and the criminal justice system. For example, in 2022, Southern states accounted for the majority of the nation’s school book ban. When it comes to abortion policy, Southern states also have far more restrictive laws than the rest of the country.
Crisis in the Criminal Justice System
The criminal justice system in the South is one of the most inhumane in the nation. Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas have some of the highest incarceration rates in the nation. Alabama’s prison homicide rate is five times the national average, and the Department of Justice has gone so far as to point out that the state’s correctional system routinely violates the constitutional rights of inmates. In addition, southern states also perform extremely poorly in protecting the rights of minors, with several states cited as the worst violators of human rights.
Political influence in the South The crisis of glorification
The political culture of the South not only influenced the region, but also shaped the political landscape of the nation. Historian Heather Cox Richardson notes that the oligarchic power structure in the South did not disintegrate after the Civil War, but instead influenced electoral politics throughout the country through segregation and the culture wars against communism. Today, Southern states are overrepresented in Congress, further amplifying their political influence.
In 2020, Republican legislators from southern states held more than half of the 147 Republicans who tried to overturn election results. This phenomenon suggests that the anti-democratic and illiberal traditions of the South are spreading across the country. The Trump administration’s power base is built on this deeply anti-democratic Republican Congress, in which southern states play a key role.
The Road to Liberal Democracy as a Party
The road to liberal democracy in the South remains long. The region will need profound reforms at the economic, political, and social levels if it is to truly realize the promise of liberal democracy. Firstly, the southern states must tackle economic inequality and boost the proportion of the middle class through increased public investment and improved worker protections. Second, the South needs to reform its political system to break the dominance of one party and promote competitive electoral politics. Finally, the South must come to grips with its history of racial violence and oppression and engage in public reflection and reckoning.
As Faulkner said The past never dies. It is not even past. The shadow of the South’s history still hangs over the political and social life of the region. It is only through profound reflection and reform that the South can truly move towards a liberal democratic future. This is of vital importance not only to the southern states, but also to democracy in the United States as a whole.
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