California Politics and Government A Practical Approach

by Gerston, Larry N.; Christensen, Terry

• ISBN13: 9780534630812
• ISBN10: 0534630812
• Edition: 8th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-12-09
• 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

Preface	xi
About the Authors	xiii
CHAPTER 1 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	(2)
California Today	9	(5)
Into the Future	14	(1)
Notes	14	(1)
Learn More on the World Wide Web	14	(1)
Learn More at the Library	14	(1)
CHAPTER 2 POLITICAL PARTIES AND DIRECT DEMOCRACY: TOO MUCH DEMOCRACY?	15	(15)
The Progressive Legacy	15	(2)
Party Organization-Structure and Supporters	17	(4)
Direct Democracy	21	(4)
The Politics of Ballot Propositions	25	(2)
Political Parties, Direct Democracy, and California Politics	27	(1)
Notes	28	(1)
Learn More on the World Wide Web	28	(1)
Learn More at the Library	29	(1)
CHAPTER 3 VOTERS, CANDIDATES, CAMPAIGNS, AND THE MEDIA: THE MIX OF MONEY AND MARKETING	30	(15)
The Voters	30	(3)
The Candidates	33	(2)
Campaigning California Style	35	(5)
Reporting on California Politics	40	(3)
Elections, Campaigns, and the Media	43	(1)
Notes	43	(1)
Learn More on the World Wide Web	44	(1)
Learn More at the Library	44	(1)
CHAPTER 4 INTEREST GROUPS: THE POWER BEHIND THE DOME	45	(12)
The Evolution of Group Power in California	45	(1)
The Groups	46	(4)
Techniques and Targets: Interest Groups al: Work	50	(4)
Regulating Groups	54	(1)
Measuring Group Clout: Money, Numbers, and Credibility	54	(1)
Notes	55	(1)
Learn More on the World Wide Web	55	(1)
Learn More at the Library	56	(1)
CHAPTER 5 THE LEGISLATURE: THE PERILS OF POLICY MAKING	57	(15)
The Making and Unmaking of a Model Legislature	58	(6)
How a Bill Becomes a Law	64	(5)
Other Factors	69	(1)
Unfinished Business	69	(1)
Notes	70	(1)
Learn More on the World Wide Web	70	(1)
Learn More at the Library	71	(1)
CHAPTER 6 COURTS, JUDGES, AND POLITICS: CALIFORNIA LAW	72	(13)
The California Court System	72	(4)
The Courts at Work	76	(3)
The High Court as a Political Battleground	79	(1)
Governors, Voters, and the Courts	80	(2)
Courts and the Politics of Crime	82	(2)
Politics and the Courts	84	(1)
Notes	84	(1)
Learn More on the World Wide Web	84	(1)
Learn More at the Library	84	(1)
CHAPTER 7 THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH: COPING WITH FRAGMENTED AUTHORITY	85	(15)
The Governor: First Among Equals	85	(7)
The Supporting Cast	92	(5)
The Bureaucracy	97	(1)
Making the Pieces Fit	98	(1)
Notes	98	(1)
Learn More on the World Wide Web	99	(1)
Learn More at the Library	99	(1)
CHAPTER 8 TAXING AND SPENDING: BUDGETARY POLITICS AND POLICIES	100	(14)
The Budgetary Process	101	(2)
Revenue Sources	103	(4)
Spending	107	(4)
Modern State Budgets: Too Little, Too Much, or Just Right?	111	(1)
Notes	112	(1)
Learn More on the World Wide Web	112	(1)
Learn More at the Library	113	(1)
CHAPTER 9 LOCAL GOVERNMENT: POLITICS AT THE GRASSROOTS	114	(15)
Counties and Cities	114	(4)
Power in the City: Council Members, Managers, and Mayors	118	(3)
More Governments	121	(2)
Direct Democracy in Local Politics	123	(1)
Land Use: Coping With Growth	124	(1)
Taxing and Spending	125	(2)
Local Limits	127	(1)
Notes	127	(1)
Learn More on the World Wide Web	128	(1)
Learn More at the Library	128	(1)
CHAPTER 10 STATE-FEDERAL RELATIONS: CONFLICT, COOPERATION, AND CHAOS	129	(12)
California's Clout With the President	130	(1)
California's Clout With Congress	130	(2)
Terrorism	132	(1)
Immigration	133	(1)
Air Pollution	134	(2)
Water	136	(1)
Shared Resources	137	(1)
Changed Rules, New Directions	138	(1)
Notes	139	(1)
Learn More on the World Wide Web	139	(1)
Learn More at the Library	140	(1)
Glossary	141	(6)
Index	147