Politics in the American States: a comparative analysis

by Virginia Gray, Herbert Jacob, Robert Albritton

Politics in the American States is an essential source for anyone interested in state politics. Containing original research from the finest scholars in the field, it employs an empirical and comparative approach to survey the entire field of state politics. Now, in its seventh edition, Politics in the American States has been completely revised and updated to include important new scholarship, the most current census and electoral data, and new policy developments.

Genres: College, Nonfiction

595 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Steven Peterson]

This series began, with Kenneth Vines and Herbert Jacob as editors. I actually studies with Vines at the State University of New York at Buffalo. When I took his State Politics class, we actually read the page proofs for the third edition of this work. I am a fanatic, since I have a copy of all ten editions (this version is the tenth in this series).

The book compares the American states, to get a sense of the dynamics of state politics. As such, this has been a valuable resource for coming up on five decades (the first edition was published in 1965, if memory serves). This edition adds new chapters on the politics of education and higher education policy.

Overall, there are 16 chapters, covering the waterfront. Well known scholars author many of the chapters in this edited volume. The first part provides context on the socioeconomic and political context of the states and the essence of intergovernmental relations. Then, the dynamics of politics--parties and interest groups and citizen democracy. Next, the volume examines the basic institutions of state government--governor, legislature, courts, and bureaucracy.

Finally, policy arenas--from corrections to fiscal policy to health and welfare programs to education to higher education to morality policy to environmental policy to economic development and infrastructure.

In short, this series still has vitality in its tenth edition. For those interested in learning more about state politics, this remains a valuable resource.

[Steven Peterson]

Thius is the 9th edition of a classic work on comparing politics in the American states. The first edition was published in the middle 1960s, then edited by Kenneth Vines and Herbert Jacob. This is an irreplaceable volume. Thanks are in order for Virginia Gray and Russell Hanson having taken over editorial duties.

[Connor Oswald]

read for grad school

[Tara Findley]

Very vital information, and helpful suggested readings. It can be a bit dense at times, but that is to be expected with a political textbook.

[Britta]

I am a nerd and I love this text.

[Steven Peterson]

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.

[Steven Peterson]

I have a copy of every edition of this series except the first. And I had that until I loaned it to a student who never returned it! Wonder if my collection has any value? "Politics in the American States" is a great resource, with a new edition (and with new editors over time) appearing every few years. Each volume explores processes of state government (governor, legislatures, courts, parties) as well as policy issues (welfare, law enforcement, transportation, etc.). A great resource as a series. . . .

[Steven Peterson]

This is the 1990 edition of this wonderful resource allowing comparison among the American states. If memory serves, it is the last edition bearing Herbert Jacob's name. He was the original co-editor (along with Kenneth Vines) of this redoubtable series. The book provides comparsions among the states in basic institutions of government (governor, legislature, parties, courts, etc.) and policy arenas. A treasure trove of data.