Trusted and proven text employs a comparative approach to show how the geography, history, political culture, institutional structures, economic underpinnings, and demographics of states and localities both clash and converge. 

Chapter 1: Introduction to State and Local Government: They Tax Dogs in West Virginia, Don’t They? The Impact of State and Local Politics on Daily Life The Comparative Method in Practice: Yes, They Really Do Tax Dogs in West Virginia Recognizing the Stakes Conclusion The Latest Research Key Concepts Suggested Web Sites State Stats on State and Local Government Chapter 2: Federalism: The Power Plan Systems of Power Why Federalism? The Origins of the Federal System in the United States The Advantages and Disadvantages of Federalism The Constitutional Basis of Federalism The Development of Federalism The Supreme Court: The Umpire of Federalism Conclusion The Latest Research Key Concepts Suggested Web Sites State Stats on Federalism Chapter 3: Constitutions: Operating Instructions What State Constitutions Do: It’s Probably Different from What You Think The Evolution of State Constitutions The First Generation of State Constitutions Formal Constitutional Changes Informal Methods for Changing Constitutions Why State Constitutions Vary How State Constitutions Differ Constitutions for Local Government? Conclusion The Latest Research Key Concepts Suggested Web Sites State Stats on Constitutions Chapter 4: Finance: Filling the Till and Paying the Bills Show Me the Money: Where State Revenues Come From The Budget Process Conclusion The Latest Research Key Concepts Suggested Web Sites State Stats on Finance Chapter 5: Political Attitudes and Participation: Venting and Voting Elections What Elections Are Used For Public Opinion Conclusion The Latest Research Key Concepts Suggested Web Sites State Stats on Political Attitudes and Participation Chapter 6: Parties and Interest Groups: Elephants, Donkeys, and Cash Cows A Primer on Political Parties State Party Regulation and Finance Party Competition: Why Some States Are More Competitive than Others Third Parties and Independents Interest Groups and Lobbies Conclusion The Latest Research Key Concepts Suggested Web Sites State Stats on Parties and Interest Groups Chapter 7: Legislatures: The Art of Herding Cats The Job of Legislatures Organization and Operation of Legislatures State Legislators The Citizens’ Whipping Boy: Legislators and Public Opinion Conclusion The Latest Research Key Concepts Suggested Web Sites State Stats on Legislatures Chapter 8: The Executive Branch and Bureaucracy: How Governments Operate and Who’s in Charge The Job of Governor The Powers of Governors Becoming Governor and Staying Governor Other Executive Offices What Is Bureaucracy? What Does Bureaucracy Do? What Is “Enough” Bureaucracy? Measuring Bureaucratic Effectiveness: It Does a Better Job than You Think Politics and the Merit System If Not Merit . . . Then What? The Latest Research Key Concepts Suggested Web Sites State Stats on the Executive Branch and Bureaucracy Chapter 9: Courts: Turning Law into Politics The Role and Structure of State Courts Selecting Judges Prosecution and Defense of Cases in State Courts The Case for Court Reform Conclusion The Latest Research Key Concepts Suggested Web Sites State Stats on Courts Chapter 10: Local Government: Function Follows Form The Many Faces of Local Government The Organization and Responsibilities of Local Governments Municipalities Working within Limits: The Powers and Constraints of Local Government Participation in Local Government The Missing Level of Government Sprawl: How Metropolitan Regions Grow The Cons of Metropolitan Growth Government Reform in Metropolitan Areas The Case against Reform: Public Choice and the Tiebout Model Rural Metropolitics Conclusion The Latest Research Key Concepts Suggested Web Sites State Stats on Local Government