Virginia Government: Institutions and Policy

Liliokanaio Peaslee, Nicholas J. Swartz

CQ Press, Oct 7, 2013 - Political Science - 224 pages

Equally at home as a companion to an introductory text or as a stand-alone resource, Virginia Government offers an excellent introduction to the political institutions, actors, and policy processes of the Old Dominion State. Paying special attention to the governing arrangements that make Virginia unique, from statewide city-county separation to a single-term governor to shifting electoral alignments, Peaslee and Swartz strike the perfect balance, combining necessary background and historical analysis with current events and policy issues to make the information relevant and engaging for today’s students. Grounded in the comparative method, the text provides useful comparisons with governing institutions, political processes, and public polices in other states and localities.

Contents

• AN INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNMENT AND POLICYMAKING IN THE COMMONWEALTH: 1
• A FRAMEWORK FOR GOVERNING EXPLORING THE VIRGINIA STATE CONSTITUTION: 11
• FROM BLUE TO RED AND BACK AGAIN VOTING AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN VIRGINIA: 25
• ORGANIZED INTERESTS POLITICAL PARTIES AND GROUP POLITICS IN THE STATE CAPITAL: 42
• THE VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY LAWMAKING IN THE NATIONS FIRST LEGISLATURE: 60
• STEERING THE SHIP OF THE STATE EXECUTIVE POWER IN VIRGINIA: 77
• LAW AND ORDER IN VIRGINIA THE STATE COURT SYSTEM: 90
• ADMINISTERING GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRATIC POWER AND POLITICS IN VIRGINIA: 105
• PAYING THE BILL BUDGETING AND FINANCE IN VIRGINIA: 119
• MUNICIPALITIES AND METROPOLITANISM LOCAL AND REGIONAL GOVERNANCE IN VIRGINIA: 132
• INSIDE THE LABORATORY PUBLIC POLICYMAKING IN VIRGINIA: 154
• INDEX: 193

About the author

Liliokanaio Peaslee is assistant professor of public policy and administration in the Department of Political Science at James Madison University. She has an undergraduate degree in political science, a master’s degree in social policy, and a joint PhD in politics and social policy. Dr. Peaslee has published in the areas of community policing, youth development, rural education and employment policy, and university–community partnerships. Her research currently involves evaluating mentoring programs for at-risk youth.

Nicholas J. Swartz is assistant professor of public policy and administration in the Department of Political Science at James Madison University. He is also the director of the Master in Public Administration Program. He has an undergraduate degree in political science, a master’s degree in public administration, and a doctorate degree in public policy. Dr. Swartz has published in the areas of emergency management, city–county governmental consolidation, local government and nonprofit management succession planning, and university–town collaborations. He has worked with a number of local governments and nonprofits in Virginia to facilitate local community and economic development.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Virginia Government: Institutions and Policy
• Authors: Liliokanaio Peaslee, Nicholas J. Swartz
• Publisher: CQ Press, 2013
• ISBN: 1483321754, 9781483321752
• Length: 224 pages
• Subjects: Political Science / American Government / Local; Political Science / General