Suggests that the most important aspect of successful school desegregation in Seattle was the quality of the political process. Identifies main participants and their organizations which comprise the public decision-making system. Discusses these in light of the political values which characterize Seattle's political culture. (Author/GC)

Legal ambiguities, political factionalism, and community conservatism are identified as barriers to the implementation of school desegregation plans. Difficulties encountered in Seattle's first voluntary desegregation effort are also analyzed. (GC)