Governing States and Localities

With their engaging journalistic writing and crisp storytelling, authors Kevin B. Smith and Alan Greenblatt employ a comparative approach to explain how and why states and localities are both similar and different in institutional structure, culture, history, economy, geography, and demographics. A great blend of high-quality academic analysis and the latest scholarship, this Sixth Edition is thoroughly updated to account for major developments such as state vs. federal conflicts over immigration reform, gun control, and voter rights; health and education reforms aimed at improving the effectiveness of state and local government service delivery; and the lingering effects of the Great Recession.

Table of Contents:
Map of the United States Tables, Figures, and Maps Preface 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 Recognizing the Stakes Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Key Concepts Suggested Websites 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 Suggested Websites CHAPTER 3 Constitutions: Operating Instructions What State Constitutions Do: It’s Probably Different From What You Think The Evolution of State Constitutions The First Generation of State Constitutions Formal Constitutional Changes Informal Methods for Changing Constitutions Why State Constitutions Vary How State Constitutions Differ Constitutions for Local Government? Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Key Concepts Suggested Websites CHAPTER 4 Finance: Filling the Till and Paying the Bills Show Me the Money: Where State Tax Revenues Come From Show Me the Money: Income From Fees, Charges, and Uncle Sam Taxing Variations Among State and Local Governments The Budget Process Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Key Concepts Suggested Websites CHAPTER 5 Political Attitudes and Participation: Venting and Voting Voting Rights Disputes Elections What Elections Are Used For Public Opinion Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Key Concepts Suggested Websites CHAPTER 6 Parties and Interest Groups: Elephants, Donkeys, and Cash Cows A Primer on Political Parties Party Competition: Why Some States Are More Competitive Than Others Third Parties and Independents Interest Groups and Lobbies Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Key Concepts Suggested Websites 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 Suggested Websites CHAPTER 8 Governors and Executives: There Is No Such Thing as Absolute Power The Job of Governor The Powers of Governors Becoming Governor and Staying Governor Other Executive Offices Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Key Concepts Suggested Websites 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 Suggested Websites CHAPTER 10 Bureaucracy: What Nobody Wants but Everybody Needs What Is Bureaucracy? What Does Bureaucracy Do? 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 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 Key Concepts Suggested Websites 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 Key Concepts Suggested Websites 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 Key Concepts Suggested Websites CHAPTER 14 Crime and Punishment Mass Arrests and Incarceration Private Wrongs, Public Justice Principle Versus Practice in Common Law Prison Nation Issues to Watch Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Key Concepts Suggested Websites CHAPTER 15 Health and Welfare: State, Heal Thyself! Government’s Role in Health How Government Got Into the Health Care Biz The Devolution Revolution The Rise of the Health Care State Issues to Watch What Is Good Health Anyway? Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Key Concepts Suggested Websites CHAPTER 16 Environment and Climate Change: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally States Get Serious About the Environment Issues to Watch Going Green Adaptation Conclusion Top Ten Takeaways Key Concepts Suggested Websites Notes Glossary Index

About the Author :
Kevin B. Smith is professor and chair of the political science department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has been studying and teaching state politics and policy for more than twenty years. He has authored or co-authored nine books and dozens of scholarly articles, and is a former associate editor of State Politics & Policy Quarterly. Prior to becoming an academic he covered state and local politics as a newspaper reporter. Alan Greenblatt, a reporter at NPR, has been writing about politics and government in Washington and the states for more than a decade. He won the National Press Club’s Sandy Hume award for political journalism while reporting for Congressional Quarterly. During his years at Governing magazine, he covered issues of concern to state and local governments, including budgets, taxes, and higher education. Along the way, he has written about politics and culture for numerous other publications, including the Washington Post and the San Francisco Chronicle.

Review :
"Governing States and Localities is an excellent, full-coverage textbook that successfully highlights the variation of states across time and space. The authors provide many interesting and current real-life examples to highlight the relevancy of the material. The text has a strong analytical and empirical focus, while remaining accessible and engaging." "This is the best book I have encountered on state and local government. Smith and Greenblatt combine a wealth of information on states and localities in a variety of different ways, including the presentation of engaging vignettes, illuminating statistical charts, and the latest research on major topics in the field. At the same time, they build students’ skills so that they can consider the information from a comparative perspective. What more can you ask for?" "Governing States and Localities is the best state and local textbook available. It is flexible and adaptable to suit a variety of instructor strengths. Student responses to the book have always been very positive. The comparative approach comes across vividly through analytical presentation and engaging vignettes, and the content is well-written and visually inviting." "Governing States and Localities is engaging and informative. The authors balance different ideological perspectives in this solid introduction to state and local government. This book will always serve as a good resource for future research to any student who holds on to it."