Customer Reviews

Politics in the American States: A Comparative Analysis

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The first edition of this, published in the earlier 1960s, was edited by Kenneth Vines (one of my graduate school instructors) and Herbert Jacob. That started an ongoing enterprise. Indeed, I have all but one of the works in this series (some student once borrowed the first edition and never returned it). For most people, this would prove to be an esoteric work--but if you are interested in state politics, this is a treasure.

For one thing, it is pitched such that it can be used as either an undergraduate or graduate textbook. Thus, it is accessible to interested lay, non-political scientist readers.

The current editors, Virginia Gray and Russell Hanson, have continued the tradition of a comparative state politics approach. Chapters consider key issues in the study of state politics, each authored by a recognized expert. The volume begins with an essay by Gray, outlining the "socioeconomic and political context" of states. This serves as a general introduction to the volume.

The chapters that follow cover major elements in the study of state politics, featuring comparisons among the states and efforts at explaining the variations that we can observe. Among subjects considered in the individual chapters--Intergovernmental relations, Parties and elections, Interest groups, the Initiative process (by which citizens can get issues placed on the ballot, allowing for public control of the policy process), legislative politics, governors, state courts, corrections policy, fiscal policy, health and welfare programs, education politics, economic and social regulation, and economic development/infrastructure policy.

Simply, this is another strong entry in this franchise's history. For academics interested in state politics, this is a welcome resource. For interested general readers, this can be a rich source of understanding about state politics.