American State and Local Politics: Directions for the 21st Century

by Ronald E. Weber (Editor), Paul Brace (Editor)

Ronald E. Weber and Paul Brace bring together a distinguished team of scholars of state and local government to provide an array of viewpoints on the impact of the major institutional changes that have been taking place over the past three decades. These experts discuss the current status of state and local government practices and identify some of the challenges facing officials today.

316 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1998

Reviews

[Steven Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is meant as a supplementary textbook in a state and local politics class. And, as such, it is quite serviceable and would be most useful. This volume is a bit timebound now, though, having been published in 1999. Nonetheless, good content for its time.

All of the individual chapter authors are good scholars, well learned in their specialty areas. The book begins with a chapter by the two editors of the book that examines the real increased functionality of state and local governments at the turn of the century. There follows a discussion on what state and local governments do and the nature of devolution of responsibilities to these levels.

Then, we read several chapters on basic institutions of state and local government: governors, state legislators, state courts, statehouse bureaucracy, mayors (and other local executives), and city councils. Then, chapters on actors in the political arena, such as parties and interest groups, with special consideration on candidate-oriented elections and campaigns.

All in all, a fine work on state and local politics. It could serve as a text in a college class (albeit a dated one) or as useful reading for interested citizens, trying to learn more about state and local politics.

[John Yelverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well done and thought out discussion about American politics.