Publisher Description

Now in its ninth edition,Power and Politics in California continues its tradition of asking Californians to take a hard and systematic look at their state governance, and engage themselves in a critical analysis of what is working, what is not, and what changes need to be made for the state to meet the increasingly formidable challenges it faces.The era of Arnold is now in its mid-stages, and the rise of this very different political personality has had significant impacts on the state. This ninth edition provides analysis of Governor Schwarzenegger in context and looks forward to how California's fiscal condition, educational system, and response to diversity will play a vital role in shaping the state's politics in the future.

Back Cover

Power and Politics in California Ninth Edition Ken DeBow John C. Syer Now in its ninth edition, Power and Politics in California continues its tradition of asking Californians to take a hard and systematic look at their state governance. It invites them to engage in a critical analysis of what is working, what is not, and what changes need to be made for the state to meet the increasingly formidable challenges it faces. The "era of Arnold" is now in its mid-stages, and the rise of this very different political personality has had a significant impact on the state. The new edition offers an analysis of Governor Schwarzenegger in context and of how California's fiscal condition, educational system, and response to the diversity of its residents will likely shape the state's politics in the future. New to the Ninth Edition The ninth edition offers a comparative analysis of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state governors who preceded him, placing his election and policies in the context of the greater history of California politics. Political and demographic comparisons among California, its neighboring states, and the rest of the nation enhance students' understanding of "where they stand" in relation to the rest of the country. A new concluding Part IV ties together three interrelated factors that will most crucially shape the state's politics into the future: its fiscal condition, its educational system, and its response to the diversity of its residents. Reorganized to better reflect the most common teaching sequence of the course, the chapters on institutions and local government have been moved closer to the front of the text, while coverage of diversity (previously covered in Chapter 4) is now addressed throughout the book where appropriate. Throughout the book, the authors have updated information related to the partisan leanings of California's 58 counties. Visit us at

Table of Contents

Preface. PART I CALIFORNIA POLITICS: THE IMMEDIATE AND HISTORIC BACKDROP 1. California's Wild Ride: A Very Different Kind of Governor 2. California's Political History. PART II CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT'S CONSTITUTIONAL BRANCHES 3. The California Legislature. 4. The Executive Branch. 5. The California Judiciary. 6. Local Government in California. PART III LINKING THE PUBLIC TO THE SYSTEM 7. Interest Group Power in California. 8. Political Parties and the Media: Linking the Public to the Process. 9. Elections in California. PART IV CALIFORNIA'S POLITICAL FUTURE: FISCAL AND HUMAN CHALLENGES 10. Budgetary Politics in California. 11. Big State, Big Challenges

Long Description

Now in its ninth edition, Power and Politics in California continues its tradition of asking Californians to take a hard and systematic look at their state governance, and engage themselves in a critical analysis of what is working, what is not, and what changes need to be made for the state to meet the increasingly formidable challenges it faces. The "era of Arnold" is now in its mid-stages, and the rise of this very different political personality has had significant impacts on the state. This ninth edition provides analysis of Governor Schwarzenegger in context and looks forward to how California's fiscal condition, educational system, and response to diversity will play a vital role in shaping the state's politics in the future.

Feature

Offers a critical analysis of California institutions and processes, engaging students and asking them to participate in a "dialogue about the fundamental conditions of politics in California." Provides comprehensive, institutionally-focused coverage of California politics and government. Boxed inserts throughout the chapters offer engaging snapshot biographies and stories of political figures (Arnold Schwarzenegger, Howard Jarvis), provide illustrative, in-depth examples of key concepts (primary elections, referendums), and pose critical questions on key issues (reforming the initiative process).

New Feature

- This new edition offers a comparative analysis of Governor Schwarzenegger with governors who preceded him, putting his election and policies in context with the greater history of California politics. - The authors offer political and demographic comparisons amongst California, its neighboring western states, and the rest of the nation to enhance students' understanding of "where they stand" in relation to the rest of the country. - A new concluding Part IV ties together three interrelated factors that will most crucially shape the state's politics into the future: its fiscal condition, its educational system, and its response to diversity. - The book has been reorganized . The chapters on institutions and "Local Government in California" have been moved closer to the front of the text, better reflecting the most common sequence of the course. - The previous Chapter 4 on "The Politics of Diversity" has been broken up, its coverage being better spread throughout the book where appropriate. - Throughout the book, the authors have updated information related to the partisan leanings of California's 58 counties.

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