California Politics and Government A Practical Approach

by Gerston, Larry N.; Christensen, Terry

• ISBN13: 9780534617400
• ISBN10: 0534617409
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-12-09
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

CALIFORNIA POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT is a brief "nuts and bolts" book with contemporary examples that offer students a real life view of politics while illustrating the complex principles at work in California Government. In addition to introducing California's complex political system to students, major issues as economics, education, and immigration are discussed as along with their impact on California politics. Coverage of interests groups, campaigns and state/federal relations is particularly notable. Furthermore, the text integrates public policy coverage throughout the text, instead of consigning it to individual chapters?making connections and focusing students on the real impacts and practical effects of legislation and other government activities on their lives.

Table of Contents

California's People, Economy, and Politics: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow	1	(14)
Colonization, Rebellion, and Statehood	1	(2)
Railroads, Machines, and Reform	3	(2)
The Great Depression and World War II	5	(2)
Postwar Politics	7	(1)
California Today	8	(5)
Into the Future	13	(2)
Notes	14	(1)
Learn More on the World Wide Web	14	(1)
Learn More at the Library	14	(1)
Political Parties and Direct Democracy: Too Much Democracy?	15	(12)
The Progressive Legacy	15	(2)
Party Organization--Structure and Supporters	17	(4)
Direct Democracy	21	(2)
The Politics of Ballot Propositions	23	(2)
Political Parties, Direct Democracy, and California Politics	25	(2)
Notes	26	(1)
Learn More on the World Wide Web	26	(1)
Learn More at the Library	26	(1)
Voters, Candidates, Campaigns, and the Media: The Mix of Money and Marketing	27	(13)
The Voters	27	(1)
The Candidates	28	(2)
Campaigning California Style	30	(5)
The Media in California Politics	35	(3)
Elections, Campaigns, and the Media	38	(2)
Notes	38	(1)
Learn More on the World Wide Web	39	(1)
Learn More at the Library	39	(1)
Interest Groups: The Power Behind the Dome	40	(12)
The Evolution of Group Power in California	40	(1)
The Groups	41	(4)
Techniques and Targets: Interest Groups at Work	45	(4)
Regulating Groups	49	(1)
Measuring Group Clout: Money, Numbers, and Credibility	50	(2)
Notes	50	(1)
Learn More on the World Wide Web	51	(1)
Learn More at the Library	51	(1)
The Legislature: The Perils of Policymaking	52	(14)
The Making and Unmaking of a Model Legislature	52	(7)
How a Bill Becomes a Law	59	(5)
Unfinished Business	64	(2)
Notes	64	(1)
Learn More on the World Wide Web	65	(1)
Learn More at the Library	65	(1)
Courts, Judges, and Politics: California Law	66	(14)
The California Court System	66	(4)
The Courts at Work	70	(3)
The High Court as a Political Battleground	73	(1)
Governors, Voters, and the Courts	74	(3)
Courts and the Politics of Crime	77	(1)
Politics and the Courts	78	(2)
Notes	78	(1)
Learn More on the World Wide Web	79	(1)
Learn More at the Library	79	(1)
The Executive Branch: Coping with Fragmented Authority	80	(14)
The Governor: First among Equals	80	(7)
The Supporting Cast	87	(4)
The Bureaucracy	91	(1)
Making the Pieces Fit	92	(2)
Notes	92	(1)
Learn More on the World Wide Web	93	(1)
Learn More at the Library	93	(1)
Taxing and Spending: Budgetary Politics and Policies	94	(13)
The Budgetary Process	94	(3)
Revenue Sources	97	(4)
Spending	101	(4)
Modern State Budgets: Too Little, Too Much, or Just Right?	105	(2)
Notes	106	(1)
Learn More on the World Wide Web	106	(1)
Learn More at the Library	106	(1)
Local Government: Politics at the Grassroots	107	(15)
Counties and Cities	107	(4)
Power in the City: Council Members, Managers, and Mayors	111	(2)
More Governments	113	(3)
Direct Democracy in Local Politics	116	(1)
Land Use: Coping with Growth	117	(1)
Taxing and Spending	118	(2)
Local Limits	120	(2)
Notes	120	(1)
Learn More on the World Wide Web	121	(1)
Learn More at the Library	121	(1)
State-Federal Relations: Conflict, Cooperation, and Chaos	122	(13)
California's Clout in Washington	123	(1)
Terrorism	124	(1)
Immigration	125	(2)
Affirmative Action and Discrimination	127	(1)
Air Pollution	127	(2)
Water	129	(1)
Shared Resources	130	(1)
Changed Rules, New Directions	131	(4)
Notes	132	(1)
Learn More on the World Wide Web	133	(1)
Learn More at the Library	133	(2)
Glossary	135	(6)
Index	141