Governance And The Changing American States (transforming American Politics)

This book chronicles the kinds of changes that have occurred on the "demand" and "supply" sides of American state government. It assesses the consequences of those developments for the quality of statehouse democracy and the ability of state governments to govern responsibly and effectively. "America 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."--Provided by publisher America 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. Cover -- Half Title -- Title Page -- Dedication -- Copyright Page -- Table of Contents -- List of Tables and Figures -- Preface -- 1 Introduction -- The Resurgence of the States -- The Irony of Reform: An Alternative View -- Benchmarks for Governing -- Political Change and the Art of Governing: The Conventional Wisdom -- 2 Demand-Side Changes: Elections and Citizen Participation -- Increasing Citizen Influence: An Overview -- A Reapportionment Revolution? -- Extending the Right to Vote -- Making the "Simple Act of Voting" Even Simpler -- Direct Democracy -- Nonelectoral Participation -- Transformed Electoral Politics -- Summary and Conclusions -- 3 Demand-Side Changes: Political Parties and Interest Groups -- Political Parties -- Interest Groups -- An Assessment of State Linkage Mechanisms -- 4 The Governors -- Institutional Reforms -- A New Kind of Governor -- Gubernatorial Change: An Initial Assessment -- Constraints -- Implications for Governing -- Conclusions -- 5 The Legislatures -- Institutional Reforms -- The New Legislative Career -- Term Limits -- Women and Minorities -- Legislative Assertiveness -- Implications for Governing -- Conclusions -- 6 The Courts -- Judicial Reform -- Women and Minorities on the Bench -- State Supreme Courts and Public Policy -- Implications for Governing -- 7 Summary and Conclusions -- Political Change and Statehouse Democracy -- Political Change and Policy Responsibility -- The States and Governing in the Twenty-First Century: Some Concluding Thoughts -- References -- Index America Has Rediscovered Its States And Their Governments. After Decades Of Dominance By The Federal Government, The Balance Of Power Is Shifting, Often Dramatically, To State Governments.--book Jacket. Here, David Hedge Provides A Comprehensive And Up-to-date Review Of How The States Have Evolved Over The Past Several Decades On Both 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 Implications Of Those Developments For 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 1990s 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 National Level.--book Jacket. Demand-side Changes: Elections And Citizen Participation -- Demand-side Changes: Political Parties And Interest Groups -- The Governors -- The Legislatures -- The Courts -- Summary And Conclusions. David M. Hedge. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 181-198) And Index.