The Center for a Better South is a pragmatic, progressive Southern think tank dedicated to developing progressive ideas, policies and information for thinking leaders who want to make a difference in the American South.

Join: You can join the Center's e-mail list to keep up-to-date.

Money: You can help the Center's staff to raise money to support policy research.

 

POLICY BOOKS

Environment


Buy the book for $10

Getting Greener

Our 2007 book on environmental policy outlines how the South's state and local governments can benefit from new ideas. The effort has been endorsed by newspapers, college presidents and a state branch of the Christian Coalition.

Tax Reform


Buy the book for $10

Doing Better

Our 2006 book of ideas offered by the Center for a Better South, we argue it is incumbent for lawmakers across the South to revisit their state tax codes in a holistic manner to bring our tax systems into the 21st century.


A look at our next project -- Better Elections

APRIL 2008 -- From literacy tests and poll taxes to pregnant chads and the drawing of congressional districts, the battle to limit or expand participation has been a continuing contest within the context of Southern elections.

Better Elections: Improving political participation in the American South, a new book of policy ideas from the Center for a Better South, will examine modern challenges to participation in elections in the South and offer recommendations for improving access to the ballot box and the political arena.

The book, written by Charleston School of Law Professor John L.S. Simpkins, is scheduled for publication in November 2008- - just after the presidential and congressional elections.

  • To learn more about our Better Elections project, click here.

Center receives approval of tax-exempt status

DEC. 17, 2007 -- The Center for a Better South today received formal notice that its application for federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service. [See a copy of the approval letter.]

Donations to the Center now are tax-deductible. Since its inception in February 2005, the Center for a Better South has operated as a non-profit, non-partisan organization.

Take a look at ThinkSouth, our blog

ThinkSouth.org is a blog of ideas posted by BetterSouth friends from around the South. On one day, you might learn about something progressive going on in Alabama; on another, you might find out about an interesting way the North Carolina legislature is addressing a problem.

Our Blog Team scours the Web to find compelling ideas to share. Take a look. You might have a little fun -- and learn something at the same time.


Randy Brinson
"I think Christian evangelicals are proud of the spirit that exudes from the culture of the South. I think they want to see the spirit of the Christmas season continue throughout the year. " Read an op-ed excerpt

The Center for a Better South is a a pragmatic, nonpartisan think tank dedicated to developing progressive ideas, policies and information for thinking leaders who want to make a difference in the American South.

  • Develop. To develop progressive policies, ideas and information for thinking leaders who want to make a difference in the American South.

  • Promote. To promote the Center's new ideas developed by leading thinkers to new leaders, students and academics across the South.

  • Measure. To measure how new ideas are being accepted in the South through the annual BetterSouth Poll. More info.

MORE INFO

The latest from our ThinkSouth blog:
© 2008, Center for a Better South. All rights reserved.

Center for a Better South
P.O. Box 22261
Charleston, S.C. 29413