Power and Politics in California

by Debow, Ken; Syer, John C

• ISBN13: 9780205622191
• ISBN10: 0205622194
• Edition: 9th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-02-29
• Publisher: ROUTLEDGE

Summary

Now in its ninth edition,Power and Politics in Californiacontinues its tradition of asking Californians to take a hard and systematic look at their state governance, and engage themselves in a critical analysis of what is working, what is not, and what changes need to be made for the state to meet the increasingly formidable challenges it faces. The "era of Arnold" is now in its mid-stages, and the rise of this very different political personality has had significant impacts on the state. This ninth edition provides analysis of Governor Schwarzenegger in context and looks forward to how Californiars"s fiscal condition, educational system, and response to diversity will play a vital role in shaping the staters"s politics in the future.

Author Biography

Ken DeBow is Professor at California State University at Sacramento

John C. Syer is Professor at California State University at Sacramento

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
California Politics: The Immediate and Historic Backdrop
California's Wild Ride: A Very Different Kind of Governor	p. 1
A Governorship "Terminated"	p. 2
Is California Still Governable? Some Basic Long-Term Concerns	p. 6
Politics By Initiative	p. 7
Demographics	p. 10
Economics	p. 11
California Politics on the National and World Stage	p. 14
Political Disunity	p. 17
Limitless Demands and Limited Resources	p. 19
Institutional Change	p. 25
California in National and Western State Perspective	p. 29
Summary	p. 00
References	p. 30
California's Political History	p. 31
California Before the Gold Rush	p. 31
California's First Constitution	p. 33
The Big Four	p. 33
California's Second Constitution	p. 36
The California Progressives	p. 37
Depression Era Politics	p. 39
Earl Warren and the Politics of Nonpartisanship	p. 41
The End of Republican Dominance	p. 43
California Governorship: No Experience Necessary	p. 43
California Governorship: Return of the Professionals	p. 46
Summary	p. 52
References	p. 53
California Government's Constitutional Branches
The California Legislature	p. 55
Legislative Districts	p. 56
Legislative Functions	p. 59
The Legislative Process	p. 63
Powers of Leadership	p. 65
Leadership Selection	p. 69
Legislative Staff	p. 72
Term Limits	p. 74
Is An Amateur Legislation the Solution?	p. 77
Are There Other Feasible Reforms Out There?	p. 79
California Legislature in National and Western State Perspective	p. 00
Summary	p. 80
References	p. 81
Executive Branch	p. 83
Statewide Elected Officials	p. 85
Appointed Executives	p. 92
The Governor's Powers	p. 92
Gubernatorial Contrasts	p. 96
Summary	p. 105
References	p. 105
The California Judiciary	p. 107
A Changed Judicial System	p. 109
Judicial Selection	p. 115
The Judicial Bureaucracy	p. 116
Lobbying the Judiciary	p. 118
The Administration of Criminal Justice	p. 120
Summary	p. 123
References	p. 123
Local Governments	p. 125
County Governments	p. 127
Municipal Governments	p. 129
Special Districts	p. 132
Regional Governments	p. 133
The Structural Debates	p. 135
The Local Fiscal Crunch	p. 138
Summary	p. 140
References	p. 140
Linking the Public to the System
Interest Group Power in California	p. 141
Influencing Strategies	p. 142
Lobbying in California	p. 145
Money and Power: The Sacramento Connection	p. 153
Interest Group Power: Good for the Political System	p. 154
Regulation of Lobbyists and Interest Groups	p. 156
Summary	p. 158
References	p. 158
Political Parties and Media: Linking the Public to the Process	p. 159
California as a Weak Party State	p. 159
Tilting at Windmills? California's Minor Parties	p. 165
Major-Party Voters: Who Are the Republicans and Democrats?	p. 168
Electoral Activists	p. 172
Strengthening the Parties: Could It and Should It Be Done?	p. 174
The Power of Media-Then and Now	p. 175
California 2004 Presidential Vote in National and Western State Perspective	p. 180
Summary	p. 180
References	p. 181
Elections in California	p. 183
The California Voter	p. 183
California and Direct Democracy	p. 188
Government by Initiative	p. 194
Electioneering: California Style	p. 202
The High Costs of Elections: Can Anything Be Done?	p. 208
California Voting Turnout in National and Western State Perspective	p. 211
Summary	p. 212
References	p. 213
California's Political Future: Fiscal and Human Challenges
Budgetary Politics in California: Trying to Make Ends Meet	p. 215
The Budget Cycle	p. 217
Revenue Sources	p. 224
Where Does the Money Go?	p. 226
An Era of Permanent Budget Crisis?	p. 227
Budget Reform	p. 233
California Budget in National and Western State Perspective	p. 234
Summary	p. 235
References	p. 235
Big State, Big Challenges	p. 237
Diversity	p. 237
Education	p. 243
References	p. 249
Glossary of Key Terms	p. 250
Index	p. 254
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