Delaware Politics and Government (Politics and Governments of the American States)

This volume provides a comprehensive analysis of both the historical and the contemporary dimensions of the politics and government of the “First State.” Once a sparsely populated, agrarian, and relatively insignificant polity, Delaware has become a densely and diversely populated financial and legal center often called the “corporation capital of the world.” Delaware’s prime location has been central to its development and transition from a goods-producing economy to a fast-growing, service-based economy. Despite its diminutive size, Delaware is, in many ways, the nation’s preferred corporate home. William W. Boyer and Edward C. Ratledge provide an overview of Delaware’s history, structure, and present politics and explain why one of the smallest states in the country is also one of the most powerful. Delaware continually promotes pro-business legislation, business and public objectives are entwined, and privatization is a dominant theme in public affairs. The state has an individualistic political order in which public participation is indirect and citizen activism is limited. This Volume Provides A Comprehensive Analysis Of Both The Historical And The Contemporary Dimensions Of The Politics And Government Of The First State. Once A Sparsely Populated, Agrarian, And Relatively Insignificant Polity, Delaware Has Become A Densely And Diversely Populated Financial And Legal Center Often Called The Corporation Capital Of The World. Delaware S Prime Location Has Been Central To Its Development And Transition From A Goods-producing Economy To A Fast-growing, Service-based Economy. Despite Its Diminutive Size, Delaware Is, In Many Ways, The Nation S Preferred Corporate Home. William W. Boyer And Edward C. Ratledge Provide An Overview Of Delaware S History, Structure, And Present Politics And Explain Why One Of The Smallest States In The Country Is Also One Of The Most Powerful. Delaware Continually Promotes Pro-business Legislation, Business And Public Objectives Are Entwined, And Privatization Is A Dominant Theme In Public Affairs. The State Has An Individualistic Political Order In Which Public Participation Is Indirect And Citizen Activism Is Limited. Contents......Page 8 Illustrations......Page 10 Preface......Page 12 1. Delaware in Transition......Page 16 2. Political Culture of the “First State”......Page 30 3. Delaware in the Federal System......Page 40 4. The Constitution......Page 54 5. Political Parties and Elections......Page 67 6. The Governor and Administration......Page 86 7. The General Assembly......Page 98 8. Courts, Judges, and Lawyers......Page 118 9. State-Local Relations......Page 131 10. Public Finance......Page 149 11. Nongovernmental Influence and Participation......Page 161 12. Sprawl, Pollution, and Health......Page 172 Epilogue......Page 186 Notes......Page 192 Suggested Sources for Further Reading......Page 212 Index......Page 216 Provides a comprehensive analysis of both the historical and the contemporary dimensions of the politics and government of the ""First State"". William W. Boyer and Edward C. Ratledge provide an overview of Delaware's history, structure, and present politics and explain why one of the smallest states in the United States is also one of the most powerful. William W. Boyer And Edward C. Ratledge. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [177]-199) And Index.