"Historically, most black voters in the United States have aligned themselves with one of the two major parties: the Republican Party from the time of the Civil War to the New Deal and, since the New Deal - and especially since the height of the modern civil rights movement - the Democratic Party. However, as In the Balance of Power convincingly demonstrates, African Americans have long been part of independent political movements and have used third parties to advance some of the most important changes in the United States, notably the abolition of slavery, the extension of voting rights, and the enforcement of civil rights." "In the Balance of Power presents a history and analysis of African American third-party movements that can help us better understand the growing diversity among black voters today."--Jacket.