Synopses & Reviews
Taking a unique nuts-and-bolts approach, CALIFORNIA POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT gives insight into real-life politics as it vividly illustrates the complex principles at work in state government. Current examples and clear explanations give readers a solid understanding of the ins and outs of California government. Thoroughly updated, the new edition addresses many complex economic, social, education, and immigration issues and their impact on state politics. It includes new court cases, updates on the ongoing budget crisis, coverage of the 2012 elections, changes in government regulations, and more. In addition, public policy coverage is thoroughly integrated throughout the text, helping readers make connections and see firsthand the impact and practical applications of government and legislation in their own lives.
Review
"Overall, it is an excellent text, concise, accessible, and up to date with a fair, neutral perspective."
Review
"The greatest stength of the book is its coverage of most of the key areas of California government, and its compatability with my class. The charts and diagrams are great too."
About the Author
Larry N. Gerston, professor emeritus of political science at San Jose State University, interacts with the political process as both an author and an observer. As an author, he has written eleven academic books in addition to CALIFORNIA POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT: A PRACTICAL APPROACH, including MAKING PUBLIC POLICY: FROM CONFLICT TO RESOLUTION (1983), POLITICS IN THE GOLDEN STATE (with Terry Christensen, 1984), THE DEREGULATED SOCIETY (with Cynthia Fraleigh and Robert Schwab, 1988), AMERICAN GOVERNMENT: POLITICS, PROCESS AND POLICIES (1993), PUBLIC POLICY: PROCESS AND PRINCIPLES (1987), PUBLIC POLICYMAKING IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY: A GUIDE TO CIVIC ENGAGEMENT (2002), RECALL! CALIFORNIA'S POLITICAL EARTHQUAKE (with Terry Christensen, 2004), AMERICAN FEDERALISM: A CONCISE INTRODUCTION (2007), CONFRONTING REALITY: TEN ISSUES THREATENING TO IMPLODE AMERICAN SOCIETY AND HOW WE CAN FIX IT (2009), NOT SO GOLDEN AFTER ALL: THE RISE AND FALL OF CALIFORNIA (2012), and REVIVING CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT: POLICIES TO RENEW NATIONAL COMMUNITY (2015). Gerston serves as the political analyst for NBC11, a San Francisco Bay Area television station, where he appears on a regular basis. He has written more than a 125 op-ed pieces for newspapers throughout the nation and speaks often on issues such as civic engagement and political empowerment.
Table of Contents
Preface. 1. California's People, Economy, and Politics: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. 2. Political Parties and Direct Democracy: Too Much Democracy? 3. Voters, Candidates, Campaigns, and the Media: The Mix of Money and Marketing. 4. Interest Groups: The Power Behind the Dome. 5. The Legislature: The Perils of Policymaking. 6. Courts, Judges, and Politics: California Law. 7. The Executive Branch: Coping with Fragmented Authority. 8. Taxing and Spending: Budgetary Politics and Policies. 9. Local Government: Politics at the Grass Roots. 10. State-Federal Relations: Conflict, Cooperation, and Chaos. Glossary. Index.