Synopses & Reviews
CALIFORNIA: THE POLITICS OF DIVERSITY, Eighth Edition, is a comprehensive text that explores the uniqueness and excitement of California's political environment through two key themes: diversity and hyperpluralism. An experienced educator with a background in local government, Lawrence brings an informed, insightful perspective to the examination of the numerous pressures that make governing the state increasingly challenging. To help readers better understand California politics in a national context, the text also discusses aspects of American politics such as the democratic, elite, and pluralist theories and shows how those concepts can aid in understanding California politics.
Review
"A great primer on the concepts of [the] three branches of government and how they interact to create and amend policies."- Mark Smith, UC Davis Graduate School of Management
Review
"Easy to read, easy for the students to read and follow--great flow."- Antoine Clerc, College of the Desert
About the Author
David G. Lawrence is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. As a teacher, scholar, and former public official, he applies theory and practice to California politics. He served on a city council as mayor pro tem, chaired a regional planning agency, and is former president of CALCOG, the California Association of Councils of Governments. He currently serves on the Measure A Citizens Oversight Committee, a group that advises the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments on the expenditure of sales tax revenues earmarked for transportation (an estimated $1 billion over 30 years). He is also former president of the California Center for Education in Public Affairs, a consortium of colleges and universities dedicated to helping students better understand California politics through Sacramento seminars and post-election briefings. Jeff Cummins (Ph.D., Claremont Graduate University) is Associate Professor of Political Science at California State University, Fresno. He previously worked for the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) in Sacramento where he advised the legislature on budgetary and policy issues. He also worked for the California State Auditor, performing audits of various state agencies. He teaches several courses on California government, including California Politics, Public Budgeting, and Educational Policy Environments. His publications on state politics and policy have appeared in such journals as State Politics and Policy Quarterly, Social Science Quarterly, and American Politics Research. He is a frequent contributor to the news media, where his commentary on California politics can be heard on the radio, including local affiliates of National Public Radio (NPR), and read in newspapers, such as the Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times, and Fresno Bee.
Table of Contents
1. Explaining California Politics. 2. California's Political Development. 3. Constitutionalism and Federalism: The Perimeters of California Politics. 4. Direct Democracy in a Hyperpluralistic Age. 5. How Californians Participate. 6. Linking People and Policymakers: Media, Parties, and Interest Groups. 7. Legislative Politics. 8. Executive Politics. 9. California's Judiciary. 10. Community Politics. 11. Budget Policy: The Cost of Diversity. 12. Policies Stemming from Growth. 13. Policies Stemming from Diversity.