ABSTRACT

This book is the first of its kind to take concepts directly from the most commonly used textbooks in state and local politics and apply them directly to current events. It presents twelve chapters of case studies, richly detailing key topics ranging from how the comparative method can be used to understand the similarities and differences between diverse places, to a look at how state governments have taken the lead on COVID-19, environmental policy, civil rights, gun control, college tuition regulation, cybersecurity and elections, sex offenders, and many more subjects of contemporary interest. It devotes a complete chapter to local-level politics in Nevada, Florida, and Iowa, and wraps up with a unique chapter on regional governance bridging between states and localities. This detailed and highly readable book is designed to complement traditional state and local textbooks. It is also of interest to students of public administration, public policy, urban politics, and intro to American politics.

chapter |2 pages

Introduction

chapter 1|12 pages

The Comparative Method

chapter 2|12 pages

Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations

chapter 3|11 pages

State Constitutions

chapter 4|13 pages

Budgeting, Finance, and Fiscal Policy

chapter 5|10 pages

Elections and Political Participation

chapter 6|14 pages

Political Parties and Interest Groups

chapter 7|10 pages

State Legislatures

chapter 8|12 pages

State Executive Leadership

chapter 9|11 pages

State Court Systems

chapter 10|12 pages

The Bureaucracy

chapter 11|10 pages

Local Governments

chapter 12|10 pages

Regional Governance

chapter |2 pages

Conclusion