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California Politics
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California Politics
A Primer

Seventh Edition


March 2023 | 264 pages | CQ Press
Understand how California's political system works with this concise text, thoroughly revised for the Seventh Edition. Renée Van Vechten presses the reader to think about how history, political culture, rules, and institutions conspire to shape politics today, and how they will determine the state of affairs tomorrow. From the structure of the state's government to its local representatives, policies, and voter participation, California Politics: A Primer delivers the concepts and details students need.

Included with this title:

LMS Cartridge: Import this title’s instructor resources into your school’s learning management system (LMS) and save time. Don't use an LMS? You can still access all of the same online resources for this title via the password-protected Instructor Resource Site. Learn more.
 
Chapter 1: Introduction
Principles for Understanding California Politics

 
 
Chapter 2: Critical Junctures
Early California

 
The Rise of the Southern Pacific Railroad

 
Progressivism

 
The Power of Organized Interests

 
Growth and Industrialization in the Golden State

 
Unleashing the Initiative

 
Hyperdiversity in a Modern State

 
Recalling a Governor, Take One

 
Pandemic Politics and Surviving a Recall

 
Conclusion: Political Earthquakes and Evolving Institutions

 
 
Chapter 3: Direct Democracy
The Statewide Initiative Process

 
Referendum

 
Recall

 
Direct Democracy at the Local Level

 
Conclusion: The Perils and Promises of Hybrid Democracy

 
 
Chapter 4: The State Legislature
Design, Purpose, and Function of the Legislature

 
California Representatives at Work

 
Leaders

 
Conclusion: Of the People, for the People

 
 
Chapter 5: The Executive Branch
“California and Canada Partner to Advance Bold Climate Action”

 
“Governor Newsom Signs Legislation to Protect Women and Providers in California From Abortion Bans by Other States”

 
“Attorney General Bonta Affirms His Support for Commonsense Gun Laws in Response to U.S. Supreme Court Decision”

 
California’s Plural Executive

 
California’s Governor

 
The Constitutional Executive Officers

 
Administrators and Regulators

 
Conclusion: Leading State Government

 
 
Chapter 6: The Court System
The Three-Tiered Court System

 
On and Off the Court

 
Court Administration

 
Juries

 
Criminal Justice and Its Costs

 
Conclusion: Access to Justice

 
 
Chapter 7: Other Governments
County Governments

 
Municipal Governments

 
Special Districts

 
School Districts

 
Regional Governments

 
Federalism

 
Tribal Governments

 
Conclusion: The State’s Interlocking Systems

 
 
Chapter 8: The California Budget Process
California Budgeting 101

 
Mechanics of Budgeting: Revenue

 
Mechanics of Budgeting: Expenditures

 
Mechanics of Budgeting: Deficits and Debt

 
Political Constraints on Budgeting

 
Tax Burden: Highest in the Nation?

 
Conclusion: Budgeting Under Variable Conditions

 
 
Chapter 9: Political Parties, Elections, and Campaigns
A Dominant-Party State

 
Party in the California Electorate

 
Party in Government

 
Party Organizations

 
Elections: Continuity and Change

 
California Campaigns

 
Conclusion: A Complex Electorate

 
 
Chapter 10: Political Engagement
Citizens and Politics

 
Predictors of Political Participation and Disengagement

 
The Five Californias

 
News and Media Habits

 
Types of Political Action

 
Major Voting Trends

 
Special Interest Groups: Indirectly Connecting Citizens to Government

 
Conclusion: An Evolving Political Community

 
 
Chapter 11: Concluding Thoughts

Supplements

Instructor Companion Site
Online resources included with this text

The online resources for your text are available via the password-protected Instructor Resource Site, which offers access to all text-specific resources, including a test bank and editable, chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides.

This text does an excellent job providing a broad-based understanding of the California governance. It is easy to read and the publisher provides resources to assist in teaching.

Dr. Roger Lang
MSJC

I feel the text covers the basics of state government in California and provides a solid foundation from which to expand an examination of the system of government in the golden state...One of the better texts covering the California government.

Steven Marin
Victor Valley College

Sample Materials & Chapters

Ch01_ Introduction

Ch02_Critical Junctures