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Washington State Politics and Government explains how the many parts of government function and introduces readers to a diverse array of people who are actually in government, including how they got there and what it is they’re trying to do.
List of contents
Preface
Part I. The View from Above
1. Not-So-Mobile Homes: The Story of a Bill
2. Overview: The Playing Field
3. Federalism: States within the State
4. Rules of the Road: The Constitution
Part II. Choosing Leaders, Chasing Policy
5. How We Choose: Elections and Voting
6. Initiatives and Referenda: Government by (Some of) the People
7. Let’s Party! Political Parties in Washington State
8. Interest Groups: The Politics of Power
Part III. State Government: Olympia and Beyond
9. Where It Happens: The Legislature
10. The Gang of Nine: The Executive Branch
11. All Rise: The Courts Are in Session
12. Turning Policy into Practice: State Agencies and What They Do
13. Where It Comes from and Where It Goes: The Budget and Taxes
Part IV. In Your Neighborhood: Local Governments
14. County Government: Regions within the State
15. Cities: Police, Planning, Parks, and Potholes
16. Special Purpose Districts: Services Where You Live
17. Tribal Governments: Nations within the Nation
18. Jobs and Money: Economic Development
Epilogue: The People’s Business
Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the author
T. M. Sell is a professor of political economy at Highline College in Des Moines, Washington. He teaches political economy, political history, political theory, and politics. Prior to his academic career, he was a journalist in the Seattle area for twenty years. He is the author of
An Introduction to Politics and
Wings of Power: Boeing and the Politics of Growth in the Northwest.
Summary
Washington State Politics and Government explains how the many parts of government function and introduces readers to a diverse array of people who are actually in government, including how they got there and what it is they’re trying to do.
