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America’s State Governments: A Critical Look at Disconnected Democracies

America’s State Governments: A Critical Look at Disconnected Democracies

This timely and important new work takes a critical look at government in the American states and illustrates the disconnect between state government institutions and their constituents.  The text illuminates three basic political problems of state governments:  weak constitutional and institutional foundations; a lack of civic engagement; and long histories of unchecked public corruption.  In addition, the book explains why some states did and others did not respond promptly to the COVID-19 pandemic and examines America’s long-standing problem of police and prosecutorial misconduct – providing a context for understanding demonstrations and protests that rocked American cities in the summer of 2020.  For students and citizens of state politics, the book concludes with a proposal aimed at civic literacy and action.