 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 Governance And The Changing American Statesby David HedgeMar 19, 1998
DescriptionAmerica has rediscovered its states and their governments. After decades of dominance by the federal government, the balance of power is returning, often dramatically, to state governments. A devolution of authority began during the Reagan years, but recent Republican victories in Washington and in the states promise to accelerate the rate at which state governments assume greater responsibility for governing the nation. Inherent in that development is the sense that state governments, long perceived as the weakest link in American politics, are now perhaps the strongest. Here, David Hedge provides a comprehensive and up-to-date review of how states have evolved over the past several decades both on the demand side (citizen participation, elections, parties, interest groups) and the supply side (governors, legislatures, the courts) of state government. In addition to describing the kinds of changes that are occurring at the state level, Hedge looks at the impact of those developments on the quality of statehouse democracy and the ability of the states to govern effectively. The major theme of the text is that state governments in the nineties are better able to govern than ever before but suffer the same kinds of problems—inordinate interest group influence, partisanship, political stalemate—that we have seen at the federal level. Governance and the Changing American States offers students an important and timely framework for viewing and assessing these changes in state government in the context of recent research on the impact of changing state politics and governing. Reviews”...brings together and makes systematic use of a great deal of information on this topic.” “Very highly recommended.” “Professor Hedge is a thoughtful observer of state politics, and this book reflects his capacity for scholarship. He identifies major currents of state politics today—evolving federalism, governmental modernization, and responsible governance—and explores them in lucid, interesting fashion. This eminently readable book will expand students' appreciation of these trends, the ways in with they interact, and their effects upon state governance agencies and functions. As a consequence, readers will develop a more comprehensive sense of American state political systems, how they operate, and how they are responding to contemporary forces of change.” “This book nicely draws together and critically assesses much of the recent research on state politics. It provides a concise, effective synthesis and thoughtful reconsideration of the literature on the states in the contemporary political system.” “Hedge's book is a little gem. It is clearly written, solidly organized, balanced, strongly thematic, and timely. It provides a concise summary and discussion of what is undoubtedly the most important set of changes to U.S. political institutions in recent times—the transformation of state governments into viable, active, and effective political and policy actors. I will use this book regularly as a supplementary text in my undergraduate State and Local Politics course.” Selling TerritoryWorld |
|
 |
