State and Local Politics : Government by the People

by Magleby, David B.; O'Brien, David M.; Light, Paul C.; Burns, James MacGregor; Peltason, J. W.

• ISBN13: 9780131992313
• ISBN10: 0131992317
• Edition: 12th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-01-01
• Publisher: Pearson College Div

Summary

For Introduction to State and Local Politics courses. This is the most authoritative text for state and local politics. State and Local Politics: Government by the People continually sets the standards for other state and local politics texts by anticipating instructors' and students' needs. Known for its esteemed author team who treat each new edition as a fresh challenge, State and Local Politics: Government by the People is the perfect text for the educator who wants students to understand how America's state and local political systems work.

Table of Contents

Preface	viii
State And Local Politics: Who Governs?	1	(14)
Who Has the Power?	2	(2)
The Stakes in the Political Struggle	4	(5)
Changing Face Of American Politics The Growing Diversity of State Populations	8	(1)
Participation Patterns in Small- and Medium-Sized Cities	9	(3)
Challenges for State and Local Governments	12	(2)
Summary	14	(1)
Further Reading	14	(1)
American Federalism	15	(25)
Defining Federalism	17	(5)
Changing Face Of American Politics Minorities and Women Are Gaining Ground in the Workforce	20	(2)
The Constitutional Structure of American Federalism	22	(6)
The Role of the Federal Courts: Umpires of Federalism	28	(4)
Regulatory Federalism: Grants, Mandates, and New Techniques of Control	32	(3)
The Politics of Federalism	35	(2)
The Future of Federalism	37	(1)
Summary	38	(1)
Further Reading	39	(1)
State Constitutions: Charters Or Straitjackets?	40	(14)
The Roots of State Constitutions	42	(4)
Changing Face Of American Politics Same-Sex Marriages and State Constitutions	46	(1)
Amending State Constitutions	46	(3)
The Politics of Constitutional Revision	49	(4)
Summary	53	(1)
Further Reading	53	(1)
Parties And Elections In The States	54	(22)
Electoral Politics in the States and Localities	55	(2)
The Role of Political Parties	57	(9)
Changing Face Of American Politics A Demographic Profile of Local Government Officials	57	(9)
Party Balance and Imbalance	66	(1)
Elections at the State and Local Levels	67	(6)
The Future of Grassroots Democracy	73	(1)
Summary	74	(1)
Further Reading	74	(2)
State Legislatures	76	(27)
The Legislative Branch	77	(13)
Changing Face Of American Politics Women in the Statehouse	82	(8)
Modernization and Reform	90	(2)
The Politics of Drawing Legislative District Lines	92	(3)
Direct Legislation: Policy Making by the People?	95	(3)
The Debate Over Direct Democracy	98	(2)
Summary	100	(1)
Further Reading	101	(2)
State Governors	103	(23)
Rising Expectations for Governors	104	(1)
Becoming and Remaining Governor	104	(4)
Changing Face Of American Politics Women Governors	106	(2)
A Governor's Formal Powers	108	(10)
Managing the State	118	(2)
Other Statewide Elected Officials	120	(3)
The Rewards of Being a Governor	123	(1)
Summary	124	(1)
Further Reading	124	(2)
Judges And Justice In The States	126	(20)
The Structure of State Courts	127	(3)
How Judges Are Chosen	130	(6)
Changing Face Of American Politics Women and Minorities on State Supreme Courts	134	(2)
The Judicial Reform Movement	136	(1)
The Justice System	137	(6)
Courts in Crisis	143	(1)
Summary	144	(1)
Further Reading	144	(2)
Local Governments And Metropolitics	146	(23)
The Nature of State and Local Relations	147	(1)
Counties in the United States	148	(2)
Towns, Cities, Suburbs	150	(3)
City Government Today	153	(4)
Changing Face Of American Politics City Councils Are Becoming More Diverse	157	(1)
The Role of the Mayor	157	(2)
Who Influences Local Policy Making?	159	(1)
The Central City and Its Politics	160	(2)
Meeting the Challenges of Growth and Economic Development	162	(4)
The Politics of Metropolitan Reorganization	166	(1)
Summary	167	(1)
Further Reading	168	(1)
Making State And Local Policy	169	(25)
Public Education	170	(6)
Higher Education	176	(1)
Social Services	177	(4)
Law Enforcement	181	(2)
Planning the Urban Community	183	(6)
Regulation	189	(2)
The Importance of State and Local Policy	191	(1)
Summary	192	(1)
Further Reading	193	(1)
Staffing And Financing State And Local Governments	194	(19)
The Role of Public Employees	195	(4)
Changing Face Of American Politics The State and Local Workforce	196	(3)
Paying for State and Local Government	199	(10)
Intergovernmental Competition	209	(2)
Assessing State and Local Performance	211	(1)
Summary	211	(1)
Further Reading	212	(1)
Glossary	213	(4)
Notes	217	(14)
Index	231