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Governing States and Localities
Tenth Edition
- Kevin B. Smith - University of Nebraska - Lincoln, USA
- Alan Greenblatt
Other Titles in:
American Government and Politics | State & Local Politics | Urban Politics & Policy
American Government and Politics | State & Local Politics | Urban Politics & Policy
October 2025 | CQ Press
The trusted and proven Governing States and Localities guides students through the contentious state of state and local politics, helping students understand the ins and outs of these systems and why they're important. With their engaging journalistic writing and crisp storytelling, the authors use a comparative approach to look at how and why states and localities are both similar and different to show students real-life applications of policy and politics. The Tenth Edition is thoroughly updated to look at state and local developments and issues in today's hyperpartisan political environment.
Map of the United States
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Chapter 1: Introduction to State and Local Government: They Tax Dogs in West Virginia, Don’t They?
Key Concepts
Chapter 2: Federalism: The Power Plan
Chapter 3: Constitutions: Operating Instructions
Chapter 4: Finance: Filling the Till and Paying the Bills
Chapter 5: Political Attitudes and Participation: Venting and Voting
Chapter 6: Parties and Interest Groups: Elephants, Donkeys, and Cash Cows
Chapter 7: Legislatures: The Art of Herding Cats
Chapter 8: Governors and Executives: There Is No Such Thing as Absolute Power
Chapter 9: Courts: Turning Law into Politics
Chapter 10: Bureaucracy: What Nobody Wants but Everybody Needs
Chapter 11: Local Government: Function Follows Form
Chapter 12: Metropolitics: The Hole Problem of Government
Chapter 13: Education: Reading, Writing, and Regulation
Chapter 14: Crime and Punishment
Chapter 15: Health and Welfare
Chapter 16: Environment and Climate Change: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally
Notes
Glossary
Index
This book provides fresh perspectives and up-to-date material that is easy to understand and applicable to the student's lives. The many charts and graphs highlight important information to supplement the compelling material. My students are nearly unanimous in their praise for this book, which is quite rare!
Delta College
Review
Governing States and Localities offers an important and timely examination of important foundations and the current state of federal-state relations, state politics and the relationship of states to their localities. I have not found a more accessible and comprehensive book that covers all the elements that students need to gain a good grasp on ideas they often know little about but are essential to their everyday lives.
Arizona State University
Review
Integrating the [Vantage] knowledge checks is incredibly beneficial to the students. This keeps students engaged with the reading material and connects them with the concepts.
University of Alabama
Review