Why States Matter: An Introduction to State Politics

by Gary Moncrief

When it comes to voting, taxes, environmental regulations, social services, education, criminal justice, political parties, property rights, gun control, marriage and a whole host of other modern American issues, the state in which a citizen resides makes a difference. The idea that states matter is the fundamental concept explored in this book - by accomplished scholars and authors Gary Moncrief and Peverill Squire - and has been an essential truth embedded within America's governing philosophy since the Colonial Era. Considerably less attention is paid to the gritty but essential political battles fought at the level of America's states than to the endless and infamous turmoil inside the beltway, but the political decisions made by those in state-level offices are of tremendous importance to the lives of people whose states they govern. This book introduces students to the very tangible and constantly evolving implications, limitations, and foundations of America's state political institutions, and accessibly explains the ways that the political powers of the states manifest themselves in the cultures, economies, and lives of everyday Americans, and always will.

Genres: Politics

170 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book a good choice to assign to a 200-level State and Local Politics class. It is not overburdensome with details and leaves plenty of new content to pour into lectures. The downside is the student misses out on multiple examples and graphics that traditional textbooks have. I would recommend this as an assigned text if one is looking for a brief edition at a comparatively low cost.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woohoo! Finally done with this semester, which means it’s time to rank my assigned readings!
This book was actually quite interesting & insightful into state governments & politics! I enjoyed that analysis they provided & their examples were easily understood. Overall this was a fairly fun assigned reading & gave great insight into our nation.
Plus the author is bsu alum, go broncos!

[Makenna stull · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books was well written except for a couple grammar mistakes I ran into a couple times. I learned a lot through this book.

[LSC-University Park SLRC]

Read it through Lone Star College's EBSCO Ebook Collection.