State and Local Government The Essentials

by Bowman, Ann O’M.; Kearney, Richard C.

• ISBN13: 9780618522811
• ISBN10: 0618522816
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-09-01
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

This version of the top-sellingState and Local Governmentretains the unique thematic and historical approach of the comprehensive text in a condensed format. Now fully up-to-date and in a new 2-color design,Essentialsprovides explanations of the structure of state and local government, as well as their functions in the current political scene. Descriptions of public policy appear at relevant points throughout the text and are integrated into discussions to help foster student interest and involvement in state and local politics and policy. Briefer and at a lower price point than the comprehensive text,Essentialscan be used in conjunction with outside readings or with an American government survey. New!Updated coverage includes state and 2004 election results. New!Reworked and reorganized Chapter 2, Federalism and the States, includes a discussion of the Bush administration's latest approach to federalism, a strengthened and updated discussion of tribal governments, and a consideration of the challenges homeland security poses to the states. New!Revised discussions address the latest challenges states face as they deal with budget shortfalls and federal mandates. New!Increased coverage of women in state and local politics is included throughout. Chapter Recap features helps students to review key concepts in the study of state and local government. Thoroughly updated coverage of e-government and the Internet explores the impact technology has on state and local government and citizen participation. Updated and expanded Web resources in every chapter offer students the latest information on using the Internet to research state and local governments. The new and enhanced State & Local Government web site offers additional resources for students and instructors. A comprehensive examination of state and local government offers historical perspective.

Table of Contents

New Directions for State and Local Government Studying State and Local Government in the Twenty-First Century State and Local Government Capacity

The People: Designers and Consumers of Government Linking Capacity to Results

Federalism and the States

The Concept of Federalism

The History of U.S. Federalism Intergovernmental Relations Models of Federalism Federal Purse Strings

The Future of Federalism

State Constitutions

The Evolution of State Constitutions Weaknesses of Constitutions Constitutional Reform Methods For Constitutional Change State Responsiveness and Constitutional Reform

Citizen Participation and Elections Participation Elections Direct Democracy Citizen Access to Government Volunteerism as Participation

The Effects of Citizen Participation

Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Campaigns Political Parties Interest Groups Political Campaigns

State Legislatures

The Essence of Legislatures Legislative Dynamics Legislative Behavior How a Bill Becomes Law (Or Not) Legislative Reform and Capacity Relationship with the Executive Branch Legislatures and Capacity

Governors

The Office of Governor

The Roles of the Governor: Duties and Responsibilities Formal Powers of the Governor Informal Powers Removal from Office Other Executive Branch Officials

The Capability of U.S. Governors

Public Administration: Budgeting and Service Delivery Public Employees in State and Local Governments: Who They Are, What They Do Budgeting in State and Local Government Human Resource Policy in State and Local Government: From Patronage to Merit The Politics of Bureaucracy Reinventing Government

The Quality of Public Administration

The Judiciary

The Structure of State Court Systems How Judges Are Selected Judicial Decisionmaking New Judicial Federalism Administrative and Organizational Improvements Crime and Criminal Justice

State-Local Relations

The Distribution of Authority State-Local Organizations Metropolitics: A New Challenge for State Government States and Their Rural Communities

The Interaction of States and Localities

Local Government: Structure and Leadership Five Types of Local Governments Leadership in Local Government Communities and Governance

Taxing and Spending

The Principles of Finance Revenues

The Political Economy of Taxation Borrowing and Debt Where All the Money Goes: State and Local Spending State and Local Finance in the 2000s

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