The California Republic: Institutions, Statesmanship, and Policies
Author(s): Brian P. Janiskee (Editor), Ken Masugi (Editor, Contributor), Herman Belz (Contributor), Ward Connerly (Contributor), Jon Coupal (Contributor), Edward J. Erler (Contributor), Steven B. Frates (Contributor), Victor Davis Hanson (Contributor), Steven F. Hayward (Contributor), Harold Johnson (Contributor), Brian T. Kennedy (Contributor), Gordon Lloyd (Contributor), John Marini (Contributor), Daniel C. Palm (Contributor), Larry Peterman (Contributor), John J. Pitney Jr. (Contributor), Richard H. Reeb Jr (Contributor), Ralph Rossum (Contributor), Stephen Schwartz (Contributor), Dan Walters (Contributor), Ric Williams (Contributor), Scot J. Zentner (Contributor)
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Publication Date: 9 Dec. 2003
Language: English
Print length: 368 pages
ISBN-10: 074253250X
ISBN-13: 9780742532502
Book Description
Even before its budget crisis and recall election, California held a unique position in the United States. Often lauded as having the fifth largest economy in the world, California leads the nation in other measures as well, particularly cultural and political trends. But were it an independent state, it would have one of the world’s most unusual democracies. In The California Republic Brian P. Janiskee and Ken Masugi bring together a diverse group of contributors to shed light on the Progressive nature of California government. In addition to thorough treatment of perennial issues like affirmative action, gun control, and education, the work goes outside the conventional understanding of political issues to examine such topics as the Hollywood western, the electronic media, and California’s revolutionary founding. Accordingly, the contributors include not only political scientists and historians, but journalists and political activists as well. The result is a clear exploration of the evolution of Progressive government in California and its contemporary policy consequences.
Editorial Reviews
Review
The most interesting book on California politics in decades, and the only volume that weaves together the state’s constitutional origins and development with discerning accounts of its major political figures and contemporary policy issues. — Charles Kesler, Claremont McKenna College
The wide-ranging California Republic will provide a buffet for thought.
A useful addition to the literature on state politics. Highly recommended. ―
CHOICE
California even now―when the supposed legatees of Progressivism denounce the idea of a gubernatorial recall―remains the land of golden promise, the Eureka! state. But its citizens, its leaders, its students, its observers sorely need a sober rendering of its history and its institutions. Brian P. Janiskee and Ken Masugi have delivered. If you care at all about the direction of this loveliest of states, then this book is critical to your understanding of a perplexing and wonderful land. — Kenneth E. Grubbs, Jr., director, National Journalism Center
About the Author
Brian P. Janiskee is professor and chair of the Department of Political Science at California State University, San Bernardino, where he is also a faculty member in the national security studies program. He has published several articles and books on such topics as special districts, crime policy, presidential elections, American colonial local government, and national security.
Ken Masugi received his PhD from the New School for Social Research and teaches for Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Advanced Studies in American Government in Washington, DC. He is editor of Interpreting Tocqueville’s “Democracy in America”(described in the American Political Science Review as representing a “revolution in Tocqueville scholarship”) and coeditor of nine other books on modern and American political thought. Masugi is a Senior Fellow of the Claremont Institute,a Distinguished Fellow of the Center for American Greatness, and is editor of Unmasking the Administrative State (2019), by John Marini.
Scot J. Zentner is professor of political science at California State University, San Bernardino.
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