Chapter 1: Introduction to State and Local Government: They Tax Dogs in West Virginia, Don't They?
The Impact of State and Local Politics on Daily Life
The Comparative Method in Practice: Yes, They Really Do Tax Dogs in West Virginia
Recognizing the Stakes
Conclusion
Key Concepts
Suggested Web Sites
SAGE State Stats on State and Local Government
Chapter 2: Federalism: The Power Plan
Systems of Power
Why Federalism? The Origins of the Federal System in the United States
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Federalism
The Constitutional Basis of Federalism
The Development of Federalism
The Supreme Court: The Umpire of Federalism
Conclusion
Key Concepts
Suggested Web Sites
SAGE State Stats on Federalism
Chapter 3: Constitutions: Operating Instructions
What State Constitutions Do: It's Probably Different from What You Think
The Evolution of State Constitutions
The First Generation of State Constitutions
Formal Constitutional Changes
Informal Methods for Changing Constitutions
Why State Constitutions Vary
How State Constitutions Differ
Constitutions for Local Government?
Conclusion
Key Concepts
Suggested Web Site
SAGE State Stats on Constitutions
Chapter 4: Finance: Filling the Till and Paying the Bills
Show Me the Money: Where State Revenues Come From
Show Me the Money: Income from Fees, Charges, and Uncle Sam
Taxing Variations Among State and Local Governments
The Budget Process
Conclusion
Key Concepts
Suggested Web Sites
SAGE State Stats on Finance
Chapter 5: Political Attitudes and Participation: Venting and Voting
Elections
What Elections Are Used For
Public Opinion
Conclusion
Key Concepts
Suggested Web Sites
SAGE State Stats on Political Attitudes and Participation
Chapter 6: Parties and Interest Groups: Elephants, Donkeys, and Cash Cows
A Primer on Political Parties
State Party regulation and Finance
Party Competition: Why Some States Are More Competitive than Others
Third Parties and Independents
Interest Groups and Lobbies
Conclusion
Key Concepts
Suggested Web Sites
SAGE State Stats on Parties and Interest Groups
Chapter 7: Legislatures: The Art of Hearing Cats
The Job of Legislatures
Organization and Operation of Legislatures
State Legislatures
The Citizens' Whipping Boy: Legislators and Public Opinion
Conclusion
Key Concepts
Suggested Web Sites
SAGE States Stats on Legislature
Chapter 8: Governors and Executives: There Is No Such Thing as Absolute Power
The Job of the Governor
The Powers of Governors
Becoming Governor and Staying Governor
Other Executive Offices
Conclusion
The Latest Research
Key Concepts
Suggested Web Sites
SAGE State Stats on Governors and Executives
Chapter 9: Courts: Turning Law into Politics
The Role and Structure of State Courts
Selecting Judges
Judicial Compensation
Prosecution and Defense of Cases in State Courts
How Courts Are Changing
Conclusion
Key Concepts
Suggested Web Sites
SAGE State Stats on Courts
Chapter 10: Bureaucracy: What Nobody Wants but Everyone Needs
What is Bureaucracy?
What Does Bureaucracy Do?
What is "Enough" Bureaucracy?
Measuring Bureaucratic Effectiveness: It Does a Better Job than You Think
State Bureaucracy: From Patronage to Professionalism
Politics and the Merit System
If Not Merit... Then What?
Conclusion
Key Concepts
Suggested Web Sites
SAGE State Stats on Bureaucracy
Chapter 11: Local Government: Function Follows Form
The Many Faces of Local Government
The Organization and Responsibilities of Local Governments
Municipalities
Working within Limits: The Powers and Constraints of Local Government
Participation in Local Government
The Road Ahead
Conclusion
Key Concepts
Suggested Web Sites
SAGE State Stats on Local Government
Chapter 12: Metropolitics: The Hole Problem of Government
The Missing Level of Government
Sprawl: How Metropolitan Regions Grow
The Cons of Metropolitan Growth
Government Reform in Metropolitan Areas
The Case Against Reform: Public Choice and the Tiebout Model
Rural Metropolitics
Conclusion
Key Concepts
Suggested Web Sites
SAGE State Stats on Metropolitics
Chapter 13: Education: Reading, Writing and Regulation
Organization and Leadership: Schools Have Many Bossees
Money Matters
The Pressure to Perform
Many Brands on the School Reform Shelf
Choosing Wisely: Alternatives to Public Schools
Can't Tell the Players without a Program: Groups That Influence Public Education
Conclusion
The Latest Research
Key Concepts
Suggested Web Sites
SAGE State Stats on Education
Chapter 14: Crime and Punishment
Private Wrongs, Public Justice
Common Law, Sovereign Power
The Purpose of Punishment
New Freedoms, New Fears
The War on Drugs
Crack Cocaine
Harsher Punishment and Penalties: Prison Nation
The Return of Policing
Community Policing versus the Professional Model
A Return to Community Policing
Crime, Punishment and the Essence of Modern America
Not Just Tough on Crime
Issues to Watch
Conclusion
Key Concepts
Suggested Web Sites
SAGE State Stats on Crime and Punishment
Chapter 15: Health and Welfare: State, Heal Thyself!
The Influence of Culture
How Government Got into the Healthcare Biz
The Idea of a Social Safety Net
The Birth of the American Safety Net
A Multibillion-Dollar Afterthought
Oops! The Unexpected Cost of Health Insurance
The Devolution Revolution
Welfare Reform
The Feds Falter
The Rise of the Healthcare State
Beyond Managed Care
Time for Reform
Issues to Watch
What is Good Health Anyway?
Conclusion
Key Concepts
Suggested Web Sites
SAGE State Stats on Health and Welfare
Chapter 16: Environment and Climate Change: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally
States Get Serious About the Environment
Regulating Vehicles
Challenging the Environmental Protection Agency
Cap and Trade
Promoting Renewable Energy
Cutting Back on Coal
Limiting Land Use
Green Building
Green Jobs
Adaptation
Issues to Watch
Conclusion
Key Concepts
Suggested Web Sites
SAGE State Stats on Environment and Climate Change
OBNB doesn't sell books, but you may be able to find a copy at one of these websites:
Governing States and Localities by Kevin B. Smith. ISBN 9781483378053. Published by Sage/CQ Press in 2016. Publication and catalogue information, links to buy online and reader comments.
