A cultural and policy history that explains why two neighboring states developed divergent attitudes toward government and culture
At first glance, New Hampshire and Vermont seem like mirror images. Separated only by the Connecticut River, the oft-termed "Twin States" share a common history, relatively small populations, and heavily mountainous and forested landscapes dotted with small towns. Yet despite their similarities, they have evolved strikingly different political cultures, with Vermont prizing cooperation and community and New Hampshire celebrating independence and freedom from government. Perhaps nowhere is this divergence in political visions more pronounced than in their respective state mottos: Vermont's communal "Freedom and Unity" and New Hampshire's libertarian "Live Free or Die."
Twin States, Different Paths explores these contrasting political cultures. Brian Porto traces these differences back to the land itself: to the geology and geography that shaped early settlement, patterns of land use, and the distinct ways people built their communities. From these origins emerged two enduring civic philosophies—New Hampshire's devotion to low taxes and limited government, and Vermont's emphasis on equality and shared responsibility. Bringing historical and cultural analysis together with contemporary case studies, Porto examines how these traditions influence each state's approach to today's policy challenges, including affordable housing and public-school funding. The result is a clear, balanced portrait of how deeply rooted attitudes toward freedom, unity, and governance continue to shape public life in both states.
Written with scholarly rigor yet in an engaging and accessible style, Twin States, Different Paths fills a notable gap in the study of New England politics. It offers insights not only for scholars and students of political culture, history, and public policy, but also for general readers, policymakers, and residents who wish to understand how two neighbors—so similar in geography and spirit—continue to follow such different paths in defining the role of government and community.
Table of Contents:
Preface
Acknowledgments
Maps of New Hampshire and Vermont
1. Fraternal, Not Identical: An Introduction to Politics in the Twin States
2. From Seacoast Aristocracy to Jacksonian Democracy to Temporary Republican Hegemony: A Short Political History of New Hampshire
3. From Independent Republic to Republican Stronghold to Progressive Bastion: A Short Political History of Vermont
4. The Individualistic Twin: Politics in Contemporary New Hampshire
5. The Community-Minded Twin: Politics in Contemporary Vermont
6. Policy Consequences of Political Culture: The Case of Land-Use Regulation
7. Policy Consequences of Political Culture: The Case of School Finance
8. Conclusion: New Hampshire and Vermont are Fraternal Twins
Notes
Index
About the Author :
Brian Porto is Professor of Law Emeritus at Vermont Law and Graduate School. He has worked in state government in New Hampshire and has taught political science in Vermont.
Review :
"Any reader who has wondered 'Why are Vermont and New Hampshire so different when they are side by side?' will find convincing answers here. In a clear and cogent writing style, Porto brings an experienced scholar's eye and perspective to the task."—J. Kevin Graffagnino, author of Ira Allen: A Biography
"Twin States, Different Paths makes a major contribution. New England politics has been curiously understudied in recent decades, yet it remains an influential region, whose role and impact on national politics deserve in-depth study. Anyone interested in the political cultures of these states and this region should consult this book."—Christopher Galdieri, author of Stranger in a Strange Land: The Politics of Carpetbagging from Robert Kennedy to Scott Brown
