North Carolina Government & PoliticsNorth Carolina has been a leader in the South and the nation since 1775, when it became "First in Freedom" by calling for its independence from British rule. Throughout its history, the state has had a reputation as a progressive force. This book offers both an assessment and an examination of the realities of the state's leadership. Analyzing a wide range of political actors and organizations, which includes the state legislature, the governor and executive branch, the judiciary, political parties, interest groups, and the media, Fleer illuminates North Carolina's rich political history, its evolving constitutional order, and its changing political culture. Although revealing a pattern of elitist paternalism in the state's political history, the book illustrates a parallel pattern of popular participation and control. Major forces of change are increasingly defining the state. These transitional factors include a significant biracial electorate, a stratified society, a diverse electorate, increasingly varied and mobilized political interest groups, a competitive political party system, and a more representative political leadership. New challenges to the state's future development are its aging population, the preparedness of its work force, the globalization of its economy, the protec-tion of its natural resources, and the education of its children for the next century. Each new political debate, policy choice, and election reminds North Carolinians of their fundamental challenge: establishing a government by enlightened and effective popular consent. Jack D. Fleer is a professor of political science at Wake Forest University and the author of North Carolina Politics: An Introduction. |
Contents
Per Capita Income in North Carolina and as Percentage | 1 |
THREE | 30 |
National Average 193290 | 34 |
Continuity and Change in the States Constitutions | 44 |
North Carolina Constitutional Amendments 18691992 | 54 |
Legislative Life in North Carolina | 64 |
Profiles of Members 197193 | 70 |
Growth of Legislative Staff 193192 | 79 |
Expenditures of the Democratic and Republican Parties | 166 |
Public Funds Paid to Parties in North Carolina | 167 |
Registration of Lobbyists 196991 | 178 |
Interests Represented by North Carolina Lobbyists | 179 |
Five Most Influential Interest Groups in North Carolina | 183 |
Comparison of Interest Group Rankings | 185 |
Local Government Revenue Sources | 203 |
Local Government Expenditures by Function | 205 |
Number of Bills Introduced and Passed 198193 | 84 |
People and Politics in the Executive Branch | 93 |
Departments of the State Executive | 98 |
The Judicial System in North Carolina | 124 |
North Carolina Supreme Court Cases with Dissent 191690 | 131 |
General Court of Justice Caseload 198090 | 138 |
Caseload per Selected Personnel on General Court of Justice | 148 |
Registration of North Carolina Voters by Party 196692 | 155 |
Party Identification in North Carolina 196892 | 157 |
Republicans in the North Carolina Legislature by Decade | 161 |
Number of Local Government Units 193192 | 207 |
Index of Local Autonomy by Area | 211 |
Federal Expenditures in North Carolina FY 1991 | 233 |
Public Education | 241 |
General Fund State Tax and Nontax Revenue 199091 | 246 |
Total Authorized Expenditures 199091 | 249 |
Per Capita Expenditures in the Nation and North Carolina FY 1990 | 251 |
Progressive Pluralism | 264 |
Recommended Readings | 274 |
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administration African Americans appointed Assembly authority bill boards budget campaign candidates Chapel Hill cities committees competition counties debate decisions delegation Democratic party Department districts economic elected electorate Equal Rights Amendment executive branch expenditures federal financing fiscal federalism funds gubernatorial increased influence Institute of Government interest groups issues Jack Betts judges judicial Justice large number leaders leadership legislature lieutenant governor lobbyists major Martin ment municipal North Caro North Carolina Constitution North Carolina Insight North Carolina Legislation organization participation percent personnel persons policymaking political culture political parties popular population professional programs proposed public schools Raleigh ratified reform region registration Report representation representative Republican party responsibility revenue role serve session significant sources southern staff Study Commission superior court tion tive twentieth century U.S. Congress U.S. Constitution U.S. Senate U.S. Supreme Court veto vote voters Winston-Salem Journal