California: The Politics of Diversity - Softcover

Cummins, Jeff; Lawrence, David G.

3.05

21 ratings by Goodreads

9781285738178: California: The Politics of Diversity

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1285738179 ISBN 13: 9781285738178

Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing Co Inc, 2014

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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.

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Review:

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.

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 has applied 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 the California Association of Councils of Governments (CALCOG). 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 is associate professor of political science at California State University, Fresno. He previously worked for the Legislative Analyst's Office in Sacramento, where he advised the legislature on budgetary and policy issues. He teaches courses on state and local government, California politics, and Public Budgeting, among others. He is the author of Boom and Bust: The Politics of the California Budget, and his research has appeared in journals such as State Politics and Policy Quarterly, Social Science Quarterly, and American Politics Research. He is a frequent contributor to the news media and has been interviewed by the New York Times, National Public Radio (NPR), the Economist, National Journal, the Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee, and the Fresno Bee.

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