Politics in the American States: A Comparative Analysis

This is the 8th edition of what was, in its first edition, Herbert Jacob's and Kenneth Vines' Politics in the American States. From student to professor, I have used many of the editions (and still have all except the first edition). This incarnation, edited by Gray and Hanson, lives up to its legacy. The comparative state politics approach is viewed by some as old hat and old fashioned. However, this text is anything but. The comparative analysis of variation across the states in government institutions (legislatures, parties, courts, interest groups, etc.) is illuminating, pointing out what factors shape the variation. The text will provide students with a wealth of information on the nature of the basic institutions across the American states. After considering governmental institutions, the book explores policy areas within and across the states--from fiscal policy to health and welfare programs to education to economic and social regulation to economic development and infrastructure. Once more the variation across the states is depicted and then the individual chapter authors strive to explian the variation. Those who address the substance of this volume will have a much better sense of politics and policy in the American states. I remember reading the first edition as a text while I was an undergraduate student; I read the proofs of the second edition while a graduate student (studying the subject with Ken Vines); I have used the text as an instructor. And the 8th edition lives up to this work's tradition.