Governing States and Localities

From the lingering but long-lasting effects of the COVID pandemic to the growing diffusion of partisan polarization through the various levels of government, the Ninth Edition of Governing States and Localities introduces students to the most recent challenges, developments, and political changes impacting state and local politics. Employing a comparative approach, bestselling authors Kevin B. Smith and Alan Greenblatt illustrate the similarities and differences in the way state and local governments operate to show students the real-world application of policy and politics. This edition keeps students engaged with a crisp journalistic style while providing a comprehensive introduction to state and local governments that is easily accessible to undergraduates in a variety of majors.

Table of Contents:
Map of the United States Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors Chapter 1 Introduction to State and Local Government: They Tax Dogs in West Virginia, Don′t They? The Impact of State and Local Politics on Daily Life The Comparative Method in Practice: Yes, They Really Do Tax Dogs in West Virginia Basic Differences among States and Localities Recognizing the Stakes Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Key Concepts Discussion Questions Chapter 2 Federalism: The Power Plan Systems of Power Why Federalism? The Origins of the Federal System in the United States The Advantages and Disadvantages of Federalism The Constitutional Basis of Federalism The Development of Federalism The Supreme Court: The Umpire of Federalism Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Key Concepts Discussion Questions Chapter 3 Constitutions: Operating Instructions What State Constitutions Do: It’s Probably Different from What You Think The Evolution of State Constitutions Formal Constitutional Changes Informal Methods for Changing Constitutions Differences between State Constitutions Constitutions for Local Government? Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Key Concepts Discussion Questions Chapter 4 Finance: Filling the Till and Paying the Bills Show Me the Money: Where State Tax Revenues Come From Taxing Variations among State and Local Governments The Budget Process Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Key Concepts Discussion Questions Suggested Websites Chapter 5 Political Attitudes and Participation: Venting and Voting Voting Rights Disputes The Role of Elections State Supervision of Elections Voting in America What Elections Are Used For Public Opinion Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Discussion Questions Suggested Websites Key Concepts Chapter 6 Parties and Interest Groups: Elephants, Donkeys, and Cash Cows A Primer on Political Parties The Shape of Contemporary Parties Party Competition: Why Some States Are More Competitive Than Others Third Parties and Independents Interest Groups and Lobbies Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Discussion Questions Suggested Websites Key Concepts Chapter 7 Legislatures: The Art of Herding Cats The Job of Legislatures Organization and Operation of Legislatures State Legislators The Citizens’ Whipping Boy: Legislators and Public Opinion Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Key Concepts Discussion Questions Chapter 8 Governors and Executives: There Is No Such Thing as Absolute Power The Job of Governor The Powers of Governors Becoming Governor Keeping and Leaving Office Other Executive Offices Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Key Concepts Discussion Questions Chapter 9 Courts: Turning Law into Politics The Role and Structure of State Courts Selecting Judges Prosecution and Defense of Cases in State Courts How Courts Are Changing Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Key Concepts Discussion Questions Chapter 10 Bureaucracy: What Nobody Wants but Everybody Needs What Is Bureaucracy? What Is “Enough” Bureaucracy? Measuring Bureaucratic Effectiveness: It Does a Better Job Than You Think State Bureaucracy: From Patronage to Professionalism Politics and the Merit System If Not Merit . . . Then What? Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Key Concepts Discussion Questions Suggested Websites Chapter 11 Local Government: Function Follows Form The Many Faces of Local Government The Organization and Responsibilities of Local Governments Municipalities Working within Limits: The Powers and Constraints of Local Government Participation in Local Government Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Discussion Questions Suggested Websites Key Concepts Chapter 12 Metropolitics: The Hole Problem of Government The Missing Level of Government Sprawl: How Metropolitan Regions Grow The Cons of Metropolitan Growth Government Reform in Metropolitan Areas The Case against Reform: Public Choice and the Tiebout Model Rural Metropolitics Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Discussion Questions Suggested Websites Key Concepts Chapter 13 Education: Reading, Writing, and Regulation Organization and Leadership: Schools Have Many Bosses Money Matters The Pressure to Perform Many Brands on the School Reform Shelf Choosing Wisely: Alternatives to Public Schools Can’t Tell the Players without a Program: Groups That Influence Public Education Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Discussion Questions Suggested Websites Key Concepts Chapter 14 Crime and Punishment The Rise of Criminal Justice Reform Principle versus Practice in Common Law Prison Nation Racial Disparities in Policing Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Key Concepts Discussion Questions Suggested Websites Chapter 15 Health and Welfare The Coronavirus Response: Federalism under Stress How Government Got into the Health Care Biz The Devolution Revolution Government’s Role in Health Issues to Watch Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Discussion Questions Suggested Websites Key Concepts Chapter 16 Environment and Climate Change: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally Conflicting Views on Climate Change States Get Serious about the Environment Issues to Watch Adaptation Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Discussion Questions Suggested Websites Key Concepts Notes Glossary Index

About the Author :
Kevin B. Smith is the Leland J. and Dorothy H. Olson Chair of Political Science at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He is the author or coauthor of 10 books on politics and policy, as well as numerous scholarly articles on state politics and policy. Prior to becoming an academic, he covered state and local politics as a newspaper reporter. You can follow him on Twitter at @ nivek_htims. Alan Greenblatt is a reporter at Governing magazine and has been writing about politics and government in Washington, D.C., and the states for more than two decades. As a reporter for Congressional Quarterly, he won the National Press Club’s Sandy Hume Memorial Award for Excellence in Political Journalism. At Governing, he has covered numerous issues of concern to state and local governments, such as budgets, taxes, and higher education. Along the way, he has written about politics and culture for many other outlets, including NPR, the New York Times, and the Washington Post. He’s on Twitter at @AlanGreenblatt.