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Engines of Democracy: Politics and Policymaking in State Legislatures
State legislators have often been in the shadow of their national counterparts, but they drive the processes of democracy.
Rosenthal brings together a lifetime of research and experience on state legislative politics into one eminently readable volume-- a dynamic, inside view of the people involved, the politics that prevail, and the interest groups and lobbyists who advocate their causes. Building on earlier work with new data and recent interviews and observations, Rosenthal looks at the way representation works, Americans critical view of their legislatures, the role of legislative leaders, the dynamics of executive-legislative relationships, as well as norms and ethics. Both a complement and contrast to the policymaking process on Capitol Hill, Engines of Democracy proves that no one gives insight into state legislators and their work the way Alan Rosenthal can.
- GenresPolitics
442 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 29, 2025
Although you will get much of this book from overviews such as "State Legislatures Today," this provides a more personal perspective of the actual people in state legislatures. Overall, it is a wonderful and insightful look at one of the least appreciated aspects of America's democracy.
A few comprehensive surveys undergird much of this book. A 2001 survey of nonincumbent candidates showed that only a fifth of state legislative candidates had not thought of running before someone suggested it to them. Ralph Wright, the long-time speaker of Vermont, claimed that you shouldn't believe those who "try to tell you they ran for office because a lot of folks begged them." Almost everybody in the legislature was a self-starter. Grant Reeher did an overview of legislatures in NY, VT, and CT and found that an early experience with the state legislature was a common theme. Very often it was family. Fred Risser, the Wisconsin Senate president, was tehe fourth generation of his family to represent Madison in the legislature. Although people assume that the most frequent job of state leigslator is attorney, that is only 10%. About 30% are business owners, and another 15% are retired.
Legislators are rooted in their districts and do the work because they love it. Another 2001 survey, this time of five states, found that a quarter had lived in their district their whole lives, and another 40 percent were 25 years or more. But a 2002 survey by the National Council of State Legislators showed that almost half had already held elective office before being elected, often at the local level. The same surey showed that almost two-thirds still worked for pay on the outside, but they spent most of their legislative time keeping in touch with constituents.
Much of the rest of the book is rooted in memoirs of state legislators and personal experiences of the author with them. Besides Wright, there is Willie Brown, 15 year speaker of California, and Tom Loftus, the longtime Wisconsin speaker. Other stories recount how big names changed the nature of state legislation. Jesse Unruh, longtime speaker of the California House, was key here. In 1966 he pushed a proposition that made California's the first truly professionalized legislature in the country, with the highest pay in the nation (until NY surpassed them recently) and large staffs. He tied that to one of the first ethics reform packages. But he was also famous for saying "Money is the mother's milk of politics" and was the first to use the leadership to raise for everybody. This occured right when the US Supreme Court equal vote decisions broke down the old local party machines based on counties, which in term broke down much of the state parties, and which then ended up pushing much of the fundraising to the state legislative leadership or caucuses. Ralph Wright in Vermont had a "speakers' soiree" in February, when bills had been introduced but not passed, to maximize fundraising. As the author points out though, in recent years term limits and other reforms have diluted the power of leaders, leading in some places to more "reciprocity" between legislators that tend to always pass each others bills, especially out of committee, because there's not a strong restraining hand. In places like California about 50 percent of all bills introduced get passed. In those states party cauceses have gained more control.
There are too many pithy insights and wonderful stories here to recount (I loved the one about the Oklahoma Majority Leader who had a constituent complain about an unmowed median, and when he couldn't get the Department of Highways on the phone for it, the leader just took out his riding mower and did it himself.) I highly recommend it for any students of American democracy.
A few comprehensive surveys undergird much of this book. A 2001 survey of nonincumbent candidates showed that only a fifth of state legislative candidates had not thought of running before someone suggested it to them. Ralph Wright, the long-time speaker of Vermont, claimed that you shouldn't believe those who "try to tell you they ran for office because a lot of folks begged them." Almost everybody in the legislature was a self-starter. Grant Reeher did an overview of legislatures in NY, VT, and CT and found that an early experience with the state legislature was a common theme. Very often it was family. Fred Risser, the Wisconsin Senate president, was tehe fourth generation of his family to represent Madison in the legislature. Although people assume that the most frequent job of state leigslator is attorney, that is only 10%. About 30% are business owners, and another 15% are retired.
Legislators are rooted in their districts and do the work because they love it. Another 2001 survey, this time of five states, found that a quarter had lived in their district their whole lives, and another 40 percent were 25 years or more. But a 2002 survey by the National Council of State Legislators showed that almost half had already held elective office before being elected, often at the local level. The same surey showed that almost two-thirds still worked for pay on the outside, but they spent most of their legislative time keeping in touch with constituents.
Much of the rest of the book is rooted in memoirs of state legislators and personal experiences of the author with them. Besides Wright, there is Willie Brown, 15 year speaker of California, and Tom Loftus, the longtime Wisconsin speaker. Other stories recount how big names changed the nature of state legislation. Jesse Unruh, longtime speaker of the California House, was key here. In 1966 he pushed a proposition that made California's the first truly professionalized legislature in the country, with the highest pay in the nation (until NY surpassed them recently) and large staffs. He tied that to one of the first ethics reform packages. But he was also famous for saying "Money is the mother's milk of politics" and was the first to use the leadership to raise for everybody. This occured right when the US Supreme Court equal vote decisions broke down the old local party machines based on counties, which in term broke down much of the state parties, and which then ended up pushing much of the fundraising to the state legislative leadership or caucuses. Ralph Wright in Vermont had a "speakers' soiree" in February, when bills had been introduced but not passed, to maximize fundraising. As the author points out though, in recent years term limits and other reforms have diluted the power of leaders, leading in some places to more "reciprocity" between legislators that tend to always pass each others bills, especially out of committee, because there's not a strong restraining hand. In places like California about 50 percent of all bills introduced get passed. In those states party cauceses have gained more control.
There are too many pithy insights and wonderful stories here to recount (I loved the one about the Oklahoma Majority Leader who had a constituent complain about an unmowed median, and when he couldn't get the Department of Highways on the phone for it, the leader just took out his riding mower and did it himself.) I highly recommend it for any students of American democracy.
June 9, 2024
I had high hopes for "Engines of Democracy" given its promising title and subject matter, but unfortunately, it fell far short of my expectations. The book is incredibly dry and lacks the engaging narrative needed to keep readers invested in such a complex topic. Rosenthal's writing style is dense and convoluted, making it a struggle to get through even the most basic concepts.
Moreover, the book fails to provide any fresh insights or meaningful analysis of state legislatures. The content feels outdated and doesn't reflect the current political climate or the evolving nature of policymaking. The case studies and examples used are either irrelevant or poorly explained, adding little value to the reader's understanding.
Additionally, the book is riddled with repetitive information and unnecessary jargon, which only serves to further alienate readers who are not already well-versed in political science. I found myself constantly flipping pages in the hopes of finding something worthwhile, but sadly, it never delivered.
Overall, "Engines of Democracy" is a tedious read that I cannot recommend to anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of politics and policymaking in state legislatures. Save your time and money and look for a more insightful and engaging resource.
Moreover, the book fails to provide any fresh insights or meaningful analysis of state legislatures. The content feels outdated and doesn't reflect the current political climate or the evolving nature of policymaking. The case studies and examples used are either irrelevant or poorly explained, adding little value to the reader's understanding.
Additionally, the book is riddled with repetitive information and unnecessary jargon, which only serves to further alienate readers who are not already well-versed in political science. I found myself constantly flipping pages in the hopes of finding something worthwhile, but sadly, it never delivered.
Overall, "Engines of Democracy" is a tedious read that I cannot recommend to anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of politics and policymaking in state legislatures. Save your time and money and look for a more insightful and engaging resource.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews