Governing States and Localities - Softcover

Smith, Kevin B.; Greenblatt, Alan H.; Mariani Vaughn, Michele

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1604267283 ISBN 13: 9781604267280

Publisher: CQ Press, 2010

Synopsis

Despite reports of the recession nearing an end, states will have to struggle to make ends meet well into the foreseeable future. The choices are sometimes stark: trade-offs between roads and schools, public safety and health care. The new edition of Governing States and Localities responds to this reality with a new, sharper focus on economic and budget pressures. The chapter on finances comes earlier in the book, helping to frame each of the subsequent issues, and a new feature called "States under Stress" helps students see how fiscal and budgetary policy affects all areas of state and local governance.

A brand-new chapter on the environment highlights the leadership role the states have taken in fighting climate change, creating green jobs, and combating pollution. Still a great blend of engaging journalistic writing, high-quality academic analysis, and the latest scholarship, the third edition has been thoroughly updated to account for such major developments as the recentralization of federalism under the Obama administration and the further politicization and rising costs of judicial elections. The authors have expanded coverage of referendums and direct democracy, as well as the increased role states play in homeland security.

A series of well-designed features asks students to apply the comparative method ("A Difference that Makes a Difference"), to see how intergovernmental relations impact localities ("Local Focus"), and to see examples of how policies are actually implemented ("Policy in Practice"). An engaging full-color design, more than thirty maps, a vivid selection of photographs, updated tables and figures, and a marginal glossary all combine to keep your students focused and learning.

About this title

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. 

Review:

Governing States and Localities is a well-organized and current text for State and Local Politics courses. Most importantly, the authors have found a way to organize a broad range of topical areas. For my purposes, the chapters on Federalism, Finance, Local Government, and Metropolitics have made this a very servicable text. The new chapter on Environmental Policy is a welcome addition to a text that is comprehensive without being overbearing. The writing is crisp and lucid and its overall appearance and graphics are fresh. Student response has been very positive. --Scott Moore, Colorado State University

Governing States and Localities covers the major points and issues for my course and does so in a manner my students find readable. I like the feature boxes and the color terms in the margins. The subtitles to the chapters are often humorous and get the reader's attention. I teach this class often as a distance-learning class and have the students use the online flashcards and crosswords for terms that they need to learn. I use the test bank for tests and quizzes, and find much of this essential to my course. I have used this book since its first edition, and plan on keeping it. It is the third state and local book I have used, and it is the best of the bunch. --Lisa Langenbach, Middle Tennessee State University

Governing States and Localities seems to be more entertaining than competing texts. In other words, it keeps the student's attention with a more illustrative style. The real world examples and stories throughout the book are very good. Introductory questions at the beginning of each chapter are more effective than closing each chapter with questions because they lead the student to think about them while reading. The balance between description, example, and analysis is very good. This is a solid textbook. --William Lester, Jacksonville State University

About this edition

• Publisher: CQ Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1604267283
• ISBN 13: 9781604267280
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 768