Power and Politics in California

Power and Politics in California Ninth Edition Ken DeBow John C. Syer Now in its ninth edition, Power and Politics in California continues its tradition of asking Californians to take a hard and systematic look at their state governance. It invites them to engage in a critical analysis of what is working, what is not, and what changes need to be made for the state to meet the increasingly formidable challenges it faces. The "era of Arnold" is now in its mid-stages, and the rise of this very different political personality has had a significant impact on the state. The new edition offers an analysis of Governor Schwarzenegger in context and of how California's fiscal condition, educational system, and response to the diversity of its residents will likely shape the state's politics in the future. New to the Ninth Edition The ninth edition offers a comparative analysis of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state governors who preceded him, placing his election and policies in the context of the greater history of California politics. Political and demographic comparisons among California, its neighboring states, and the rest of the nation enhance students' understanding of "where they stand" in relation to the rest of the country. A new concluding Part IV ties together three interrelated factors that will most crucially shape the state's politics into the future: its fiscal condition, its educational system, and its response to the diversity of its residents. Reorganized to better reflect the most common teaching sequence of the course, the chapters on institutions and local government have been moved closer to the front of the text, while coverage of diversity (previously covered in Chapter 4) is now addressed throughout the book where appropriate. Throughout the book, the authors have updated information related to the partisan leanings of California's 58 counties. Visit us at www.ablongman.com