ABSTRACT
The principle of local self-government is strongly entrenched in Missouri. The voting districts for representative government are important elements in the political geography of Missouri. The origins of regional voting patterns in Missouri can be traced back to the time of the Civil War, perhaps earlier. Most of the state's voters are committed to preserving a privileged position for traditional elites or established old families. In this political system, hierarchy is accepted as the natural order and those at the top of the social structure are expected to play a dominant role in government. It is evident that the great physical and cultural diversity within rural areas of the state marks an outstanding characteristic of Missouri. Nevertheless, broad areas can be differentiated on the basis of physical, biological, social, and cultural homogeneity. An important aspect of the area's social structure is the sharp differentiation in social class.
