Democracy in California

Non-Californians and even some Californians struggle to understand the State's various political, social, and economic crosscurrents. Democracy in California sorts through the complexities of this diverse and trend-setting state. The book artfully puts the present situation in the context of the state's history. If you want to understand California's exceptionalism, beyond the trite cliches, here's a good place to start. -- Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register In their succinct, highly-readable, and now updated guide to California politics, Janiskee and Masugi provide a historical overview and contemporary account of the major constitutional features, governmental arrangements, fiscal practices, and diverse social characteristics of the Golden State. Aiming high, they consciously model their Democracy in California on Tocqueville's Democracy in America. They offer thoughtful meditations on Tocqueville's insights into the principles, problems, andprospects of democratic life. Their aim is uncannily accurate. This is an indispensable book for anyone wishing to understand and assess the successes and failures of California politics and government... -- Ralph A. Rossum, Claremont McKenna College Democracy in California is the best book of its kind. With a view to the enduring questions of political life, the authors present a view of the Golden State unlike that of any other textbook available today. The case studies are especially useful, providing students with readable and memorable examples of the central ideas of each chapter. The result is a cogent yet comprehensive account of America's most important state. -- Scot Zentner, California State University-San Bernardino In their succinct, highly-readable, and now updated guide to California politics, Janiskee and Masugi provide a historical overview and contemporary account of the major constitutional features, governmental arrangements, fiscal practices, and diverse social characteristics of the Golden State. Aiming high, they consciously model their Democracy in California on Tocqueville's Democracy in America. They offer thoughtful meditations on Tocqueville's insights into the principles, problems, and prospects of democratic life. Their aim is uncannily accurate. This is an indispensable book for anyone wishing to understand and assess the successes and failures of California politics and government. -- Ralph A. Rossum, Claremont McKenna College