State and Local Government: The Essentials

Bowman/Kearney's STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT: THE ESSENTIALS, FIFTH EDITION takes a positive look at state and local government. While acknowledging the legitimate concerns voiced by critics, it espouses, clearly, that government can be a force for good in society. Through engaging coverage of current events and an accessible writing style, the text fosters student interest and involvement in state and local politics, policy, and public service. For instructors who prefer a more streamlined text or for those who teach one-semester courses, this new edition of the Essentials version features limited focus on policy, and six fewer chapters than its full-length counterpart.

Ann O'M. Bowman (Ph.D., University of Florida, 1979) is professor and holder of the Hazel Davis and Robert Kennedy Endowed Chair in the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. She teaches courses in state and local politics and policy, intergovernmental relations, environmental policy and management, and public policy process. Her research interests revolve around questions of institutional change, policy adoption and implementation, and intergovernmental dynamics. She has published numerous books and articles on these topics.

Richard C. Kearney (Ph.D., University of Oklahoma) is retired as professor of political science and public administration at North Carolina State University. His career also included lengthy teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities at East Carolina University, the University of Connecticut, and the University of South Carolina. His research interests include comparative state politics and policy, labor relations, and human resource management policy. He has published prolifically on these and related topics.