Introduction

The governments of the 50 states are structurally similar to the federal government. Each state possesses a written constitution and three branches of government. In every state but Nebraska (whose legislature is unicameral), the legislative branch is divided into two houses. Yet, beneath this familiar appearance, are several unpleasant realities that can undermine the quality of many American state governments, most importantly weakening the ties or connections that should exist between a government’s actions and its citizen’s interests and desires. Some, albeit not all the states, could be characterized as “disconnected democracies.” Their institutions are democratic in form but lack firm connections with the citizens they should serve. In particular, many state governments face three basic political problems. These are weak constitutional and institutional foundations; a lack of civic engagement; and long histories of public corruption unchecked by adequate ethics and conflict of interest rules.