The Third House: Lobbyists and Lobbying In the States, 2nd Edition [Paperback]

Alan Rosenthal (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 156802438X | ISBN-13: 978-1568024387 | Publication Date: October 1, 2000 | Edition: 2

The book, which has drawn praise for its inviting and accessible style, thoroughly examines the lobbying scene: the settings in which lobbying takes place, the types and styles of lobbyists, the broad range of approaches and techniques used by lobbyists, and the role and influence of lobbying in our system of representative democracy. A favorite among professors and students alike, "The Third House" is a great choice as a supplement for courses on state politics or interest groups.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alan Rosenthal is Professor of Public Policy and Political Science at the Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University. He has collaborated in activities with the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the Council of State Governments (CSG), and the State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF) and worked on projects and studies for legislatures in about 35 states. Currently, he is working with NCSL, the American Political Science Association (APSA), and the Center for Civic Education on the development and communication of a new public perspective on representative democracy.

In New Jersey, he chaired the Ad Hoc Commission on Legislative Ethics and Campaign Finance in 1990, was selected as the independent member and chair of the Redistricting Commission in 1992, and in 1993 received the Governor's Award for Public Service. In 1995 Rosenthal received APSA's Charles E. Merriam Award, which honors a person whose published work and career represent a significant contribution to the art of government through the application of social science research.

His recent books include Republic on Trial: The Case for Representative Democracy (Rosenthal et al., 2003) and Heavy Lifting: The Job of the American Legislature (2005).

Product Details

• Paperback: 229 pages
• Publisher: CQ Press; 2 edition (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156802438X
• ISBN-13: 978-1568024387
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #219,894 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #90 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Government     > Congresses, Senates, & Legislative Bodies

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Guide to How Legislatures Function, July 12, 2003

By 

Jonathan Brown (Fair Oaks,, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Third House: Lobbyists and Lobbying In the States, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

Alan Rosenthal made a career of looking at how states functioned. He looked at issues with passion but not ideology and with a keen analytical focus. The variations among styles of lobbyists and among state legislatures is huge. But in this book he digs in to give you a good understanding how how lobbyists affect the process - both positively and negatively. State legislatures are a neglected topic that affect all of our lives. They range from part-time assemblies of 60 days a year to fulltime legislatures in several states. Some are formal; some are not. Yet each has a group that help to move and influence the process. This short book is the best I've seen in giving you an insight of the role of lobbyists without the polemics or the smoke that most accounts of the third house engender. While this is a scholarly text - it is still a good read.