ABSTRACT
New York is not an easy state to govern. Because the gap between rich and poor is so large, because the tensions between New York City and the rest of the state are so persistent, because of its amazing ethnic diversity, it is difficult for its governing elites to find common ground. The earlier chapters of this book have shown, we hope, that in many ways the system works. Strong governors and strong parties in the legislature have historically been able to negotiate agreements that kept the state running and sometimes made it a model of political reform. Even in the days of machine politics, New York did a creditable job of assimilating and educating millions of immigrants and building a solid infrastructure of transportation, water and sewage facilities, parks, and colleges.
