Politics in States and Communities

by Dye, Thomas R.; MacManus, Susan A.

• ISBN13: 9780136025351
• ISBN10: 0136025358
• Edition: 13th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

This best-seller stands apart from others of its kind by its comparative approach, patient explanation, concern with policy, and ability to stimulate readers'interest. In a clear, accessible style, the authors demonstrate the important role that American states and communities play in the political life of the nation.Focuses on the sources and nature of conflict in states and communities, along with the structures and processes designed to manage conflict. Includes updates and new topics throughout, with refocused organization; discusses timely issues such as New York City's response to terrorism and the 2000 presidential race. Examines the background and career of prominent political figures. Illustrates a wide variety of current political conflicts, covering issues such as the drinking age and the right to bear arms. Includes informative and entertaining discussion on various aspects of American states and communities such as state birds, nicknames, and ratings for the "most livable" states. provides end-of-chapter "On the Web" sections that direct students to links and additional information on the Internet.For anyone interested in learning more about the American political process.

Table of Contents

Politics in States and Communities

A Political Approach to States and Communities

The Comparative Study of States and Communities

Rankings of the States:Population Size and Projected Growth Rate, 2000-2030

Rankings of the States:Income and Education

Race and Ethnicity

Rankings of the States:Hispanic and African American Populations

The Politics of Immigration

Liberalism and Conservatism in the States

Rankings of the States:State Policy Liberalism

Up Close:Religion and Politics: The Culture Wars Intensify

Policy Responsibilities of States and Communities

People in Politics: Rudy Giuliani: From the Mayorrsquo;s Mansion to the White House?

ldquo;States,rdquo; ldquo;Districts,rdquo; and ldquo;Territoriesrdquo; Did You Know?

How the American States Got Their Names

On the Web

Democracy and Constitutionalism in the States 31 Constitutional Government in the States

State Constitutions: An Overview

Up Close:State Constitutions and the Right to Bear Arms

Constitutional Change in the States

Democracy in the States

Direct Versus Representative Democracy

People in Politics:Arnold! From Maverick to Moderate The Politics of State Initiatives

What Do You Think?

Are Term Limits a Good Idea? Did You Know?

Nicknames of the States

On the Web

States, Communities, and American Federalism 61 What Is Federalism?

Why Federalism?

Federalismrsquo;s Faults

Up Close:Hurricane Katrina: Federalism Fails The Structure of American Federalism

Up Close:Federalizing Crime

Battles in the States over Constitutional Amendments

How Money Shifted Power to Washington

Up Close:Historic Landmarks in the Development of American Federalism

Up Close:Federalism and the Drinking Age: Why 21 and Not 18?

Rankings of the States:Reliance on Federal Aid The Politics of Grants-in-Aid

Up Close:Which Government Does the Best Job?

Federalism: Variations on the Theme

What Do You Think? Identity Crisis?

Federalism and the Real ID Act Congress and Devolution

The Supreme Court and the Revival of Federalism

Interstate Relations, Horizontal Federalism

Did You Know?What Are the ldquo;Most Livablerdquo; States?

On the Web

Participation in State Politics

The Nature of Political Participation

Explaining Voter Turn

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