State and Local Politics: Government by the People - Softcover

This book is about the institutions and political forces that shape policy making and policy outcomes in state and local communities. To those of us who are students of American politics, states and their local government subdivisions are fascinating political laboratories that allow comparisons among different political systems. States vary in the powers given governors, how their legislatures are structured, how judges are selected and reviewed, and how they operate in a host of policy areas, including how they impose taxes. The party system is much weaker in some regions of the country than in others. State legislatures in some of the smaller or rural states meet for just a few months a year, whereas in other states they meet all year. The importance of interest groups and the media varies from state to state and from city to city. Generalizations are sometimes difficult, yet we try in this book to summarize what political scientists know about state and local politics and government.

State and local government and politics remain important not only to the residents of a particular state but to all Americans. A tax-cutting ballot initiative or legislative term limitation can spawn scores of similar votes in other states. And as we learned from the welfare reform legislation of recent years, states can be catalysts for change on the national level and then central to its implementation.

Those who want better government in their communities and states will not achieve it by sitting around and waiting for it. If government by the people, of the people, and for the people is to be more than just rhetoric, citizens must understand state and local politics and be willing to form political alliances, respect and protect the rights of those with whom they differ, and be willing to serve as citizen leaders, citizen politicians. We hope this book will motivate you to appreciate that every person can make a difference, and that all of us should work toward that end.

This book consists of the last nine chapters plus the chapter on federalism from the eighteenth edition of Government by the People, National, State, and Local Version 2000. We have had the benefit of useful criticisms and suggestions from Professors Thad Beyle, University of North Carolina; Randall Bland, Southwest Texas State University; John Green, Akron University; and Karl Kurtz of the National Conference of State Legislatures. We also wish to express our sincere thanks to our production editor at Prentice Hall, Serena Hoffman, and to the political science editor, Beth Gillett Mejia.

We would be pleased to hear from our readers with any reactions or suggestions. Write to us at our college addresses or in care of the Political Science Editor, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458. Thanks.

James MacGregor Burns
Williams College
Williamstown, MA 01267

J.W Peltason
University of California
Irvine, CA 92717

Thomas E. Cronin
Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA 99362

David B. Magleby
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT 84602

Features:

A reliable, responsive, and respected text written by a distinguished author team. Building on a long tradition of clear and accessible writing, sound scholarship, and currency, this one-color adaptation from the comprehensive Government by the People: National, State, and Local Version addresses the needs of students and instructors with the most innovative response to teaching trends, as well as to trends in the discipline.

 

Exciting and informative boxed features. These boxes challenge students and offer insight into the issues of politics at the state and local level.

• "Changing Face of American Politics." This feature addresses the diverse nature of the American political system. These unique boxes are designed to reflect the concerns and experiences of ethnic and minority groups in American politics, giving students tangible examples of the key trends in diversity on the American political landscape. These boxed features appear in context with topics presented in every chapter. By involving students on a personal level, this text engages them in a more meaningful, memorable study of politics as it affects their own lives. Topics include, "The Growing Diversity of State Populations," "Same-Sex Marriages and State Constitutions," and "Women Governors."
• "FYI." These boxes address data and various issues in state and local politics. For example, "Number of Governments in the United States," "Charter Schools," and "Racial Profiling."

A multitude of maps, charts, tables, and graphics. Illustrate the concepts in the chapter to help students grasp the information. Examples: Figure 3-2, "Amending State Constitutions," illustrates on a map how state constitutions require frequent amendment; Figure 4-1 shows an office block ballot used by some states; and Figure 5-1 is a pie chart showing the occupations of state legislators.

 

Chapter summaries and further readings. At the end of each chapter, you will find summaries that highlight the key topics covered in the preceding pages. Students can use the "Further Reading" section to find publications that delve deeper into the topic for research.