California Politics and Government A Practical Approach

by Gerston, Larry N.; Christensen, Terry

• ISBN13: 9780495913450
• ISBN10: 0495913456
• Edition: 11th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-01-01
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

Taking a unique nuts-and-bolts approach, the concise CALIFORNIA POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT: A PRACTICAL APPROACH, 11E, gives students insight into real-life politics as it vividly illustrates the complex principles at work in state government. Current examples -- including analysis of the 2010 gubernatorial race -- and clear explanations give students a solid understanding of the ins and outs of the California government. Thoroughly updated, the new edition addresses many complex economic, social, education, and immigration issues and their impact on state politics. The tenth edition includes new court cases, updates on the ongoing budget crisis, coverage of the 2010 elections, changes in government regulations, and more. In addition, public policy coverage is thoroughly integrated throughout the text, helping students make connections and see firsthand the impact and practical applications of government and legislation on their own lives. Clear, concise, and straightforward, CALIFORNIA POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT: A PRACTICAL APPROACH, 11E, equips students with a solid understanding of how government and politics really work as well as how they affect the students' world, now and in the future.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xii
About the Authors	p. xiv
California's People, Economy, and Politics: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow	p. 1
Colonization, Rebellion, and Statehood	p. 2
Railroads, Machines, and Reform	p. 3
The Workingmen's Party	p. 4
The Progressives	p. 4
The Great Depression and World War II	p. 6
Growth, Change, and Political Turmoil	p. 7
California Today	p. 9
California's People, Economy, and Politics	p. 14
Notes	p. 14
Learn More on the Web	p. 15
Learn More at the Library	p. 16
California's Political Parties and Direct Democracy	p. 17
The Progressive Legacy	p. 18
Party Organization-Structure and Supporters	p. 19
Official Party Structures	p. 19
Party Supporters	p. 22
Direct Democracy	p. 24
The Recall	p. 25
The Referendum	p. 26
The Initiative	p. 26
Legislative Initiatives, Constitutional Amendments, and Bonds	p. 27
The Politics of Ballot Propositions	p. 28
Political Parties and Direct Democracy	p. 30
Notes	p. 30
Learn More on the Web	p. 31
Learn More at the Library	p. 31
California Elections, Campaigns, and the Media	p. 32
The Voters	p. 33
The Candidates	p. 35
The Money	p. 37
Campaigning California Style	p. 39
The News Media and California Politics	p. 42
Paper Politics	p. 42
Television Politics	p. 43
New Media	p. 43
Elections, Campaigns, and the Media	p. 44
Notes	p. 44
Learn More on the Web	p. 45
Learn More at the Library	p. 46
Interest Groups: The Power behind the Dome	p. 47
The Evolution of Group Power in California	p. 48
The Groups	p. 49
Economic Groups	p. 49
Professional Associations and Unions	p. 50
Demographic Groups	p. 51
Single-Issue Groups	p. 52
Public Interest Groups	p. 52
Techniques and Targets: Interest Groups at Work	p. 53
Lobbying	p. 53
Campaign Support	p. 55
Litigation	p. 57
Direct Democracy	p. 57
Regulating Groups	p. 58
Measuring Group Clout: Money, Numbers, and Credibility	p. 59
Notes	p. 60
Learn More on the Web	p. 61
Learn More at the Library	p. 61
The Legislature: The Perils of Policymaking	p. 62
The Making and Unmaking of a Model Legislature	p. 63
A Little History	p. 63
The Shift toward Professionalism	p. 64
Redistricting: Keeping and Losing Control	p. 64
Term Limits	p. 67
New Rules, New Players	p. 68
Leaders and Staff Members	p. 69
Staffing the Professional Legislature	p. 71
How a Bill Becomes a Law	p. 72
The Formal Process	p. 72
The Informal Process	p. 73
Other Factors	p. 76
Unfinished Business	p. 76
Notes	p. 77
Learn More on the Web	p. 78
Learn More at the Library	p. 79
California Law: Courts, Judges, and Politics	p. 80
The California Court System	p. 81
The Judicial Ladder	p. 81
Judicial Election and Selection	p. 82
Appointments and the Higher Courts	p. 83
Firing Judges	p. 83
The Courts at Work	p. 84
Appeals	p. 85
Running the Courts	p. 87
The High Court as a Political Battleground	p. 87
Governors, Voters, and the Courts	p. 88
Courts and the Politics of Crime	p. 90
California Law	p. 91
Notes	p. 92
Learn More on the Web	p. 92
Learn More at the Library	p. 93
The Executive Branch: Coping with Fragmented Authority	p. 94
The Governor: First Among Equals	p. 95
Formal Powers	p. 96
Informal Powers	p. 99
Ever-Changing Relationships	p. 102
The Supporting Cast	p. 103
The Lieutenant Governor	p. 104
The Attorney General	p. 104
The Secretary of State	p. 105
The Superintendent of Public Instruction	p. 105
The Money Officers	p. 105
The Insurance Commissioner	p. 106
The Supporting Cast-Snow White's Seven Dwarfs?	p. 107
The Bureaucracy	p. 107
Making the Pieces Fit	p. 108
Notes	p. 108
Learn More on the Web	p. 109
Learn More at the Library	p. 110
Taxing and Spending: Budgetary Politics and Policies	p. 111
California's Budget Environment	p. 112
The Budgetary Process	p. 113
The Governor and Other Executive Officers	p. 113
Legislative Participants	p. 113
The Courts	p. 114
The Public	p. 114
Revenue Sources	p. 115
The Sales Tax	p. 116
The Personal Income Tax	p. 117
Bank and Corporation Taxes	p. 117
Other Sources	p. 118
Taxes in Perspective	p. 118
Spending	p. 119
Public Education: Grades K through 12	p. 120
Higher Education: Colleges and Universities	p. 122
Health and Human Services	p. 123
Prisons	p. 124
Other Budget Obligations	p. 124
California's Budget: Too Little, Too Much, or Just Right?	p. 125
Notes	p. 125
Learn More on the Web	p. 126
Learn More at the Library	p. 127
California's Local Governments: Politics at the Grassroots	p. 128
Counties and Cities	p. 129
Counties	p. 129
Cities	p. 131
Power in the City: Council Members, Managers, and Mayors	p. 132
Elections	p. 132
Executive Power	p. 134
More Governments	p. 135
School Districts and Special Districts	p. 136
Regional Governments	p. 137
Direct Democracy in Local Politics	p. 138
Land Use: Coping with Growth	p. 138
Taxing and Spending	p. 139
Local Government	p. 142
Notes	p. 142
Learn More on the Web	p. 143
Learn More at the Library	p. 143
State-Federal Relations: Conflict, Cooperation, and Chaos	p. 145
California's Clout with the President	p. 146
California's Clout with Congress	p. 147
Divisiveness	p. 148
Controversy over the Proposed Aubum Dam-Case in Point	p. 149
Terrorism	p. 149
Immigration	p. 150
Climate Change	p. 153
Water	p. 154
Shared Resources	p. 155
California Today: Golden State or Fool's Gold?	p. 157
Notes	p. 158
Learn More on the Web	p. 159
Learn More at the Library	p. 159
Glossary	p. 160
Index	p. 167
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