California: The Politics of Diversity [Paperback]

David G. Lawrence (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0495189839 | ISBN-13: 978-0495189831 | Publication Date: January 17, 2007 | Edition: 5

Written by someone who teaches the California Politics course and who has worked in local government, this text is a comprehensive, thematically-organized treatment of California politics. This text uses two themes-diversity and hyperpluralism-that make this state's political climate so interesting. In particular, the author examines the growing proliferation of pressures and groups that compete for attention and make governing the state increasingly challenging. And, to illustrate the connection between California politics and American politics, the author discusses aspects of American politics-such as the democratic, elite, and pluralist theories-and how these broader concepts add new clarity and depth to any understanding of California politics.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is the best text on California Government I've found."

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 5 edition (January 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0495189839
• ISBN-13: 978-0495189831
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #102,992 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #78 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Government     > State & Local Government

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Politics of the Golden State, May 18, 2002

By 

unraveler "unraveler" (Nevada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: California: The Politics of Diversity (Paperback)

This is a great textbook, if you are teaching a whole cooure in California politics, or if you give at least two weeks in your American Politics class to California politics. There is a lot of content here, and some good photographs, too. The book contains more information than Gerston's and Christensen's "California Politics: A Practical Approach" (see one of my previous review to learn more about this book), but Gerston and Christensen make a better use of empirical data than Lawrence.

If you feel like going for a lot of information on California politics, then pick up this book. Also, be aware that in addition to facts, this book does theorize from beginning to end, which is something not found in Gerston and Christensen. The book is an easy reas and it puts histroical and political information into a cogent theoretical framework. I certainly recommend it to people wishing to learn more about the politics of the Golden State.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, August 29, 2010

By 

NatS (Upland, Ca) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: California: The Politics of Diversity (Paperback)

Good fast delivery, got it when I expected it. Book is in the condition stated. Would purchase a book from them again. =) happy.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Government of California, a must for the nuby., August 14, 2009

By 

Jay T. Attebery "JTAttebery" (Morongo Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: California: The Politics of Diversity (with InfoTrac) (Paperback)

This book came quickly, and was a required reading for Government class. I was worth the reading, even if it was for the understanding of how California Government worked without me.