This brief and inexpensive best-seller has now been updated to include complete coverage of the 2006 election, the campaign results, and the most relevant and important issues and events that have captured the headlines and dialogue in California throughout 2005 and 2006. This lively text offers a unique approach to California government that blends political data with economic, cultural, and demographic trends, and analyzes the link between the economy and the political process. California Government and Politics Today is written by a college professor who is also an elected official in California, offering a unique insider's view that will engage and inform students. This updated edition continues the book's tradition of encouraging political activism and developing the reader's own unique political views.

The Tenth Edition of this brief and inexpensive best-seller offers up-to-date coverage and comprehensive discussions of California government and politics, including coverage of the 2003 recall election and its aftermath. This lively text offers a unique approach to California government that blends political data with economic, cultural, and demographic trends, and analyzes the link between the economy and the political process. California Government and Politics Today is written by a college professor who is also an elected official in California, offering a unique insider's view that will engage and inform students. This completely updated new edition encourages political activism and the development of the reader's own unique political views.

MySearchLab provides students with a complete understanding of the research process so they can complete research projects confidently and efficiently. Students and instructors with an internet connection can visit www.MySearchLab.com and receive immediate access to thousands of full articles from the EBSCO ContentSelect database. In addition, MySearchLab offers extensive content on the research process itself-including tips on how to navigate and maximize time in the campus library, a step-by-step guide on writing a research paper, and instructions on how to finish an academic assignment with endnotes and bibliography.- This lively text offers clear and succinct coverage of California government that blends political data with economic, cultural, and demographic trends, and analyzes the link between the economy and the political process. "California Government and Politics Today" is written by a college professor who is also an elected official in California, offering a unique insider's view that will engage and inform students. This new edition continues the book's tradition of offering accessible, nuts-and-bolts coverage while also encouraging political activism and developing the student's own unique political views.

"A thorough yet concise overview of California institutions, politics, and initiative process, grounded in an overview of California’s political culture." —Ronnee Schreiber, San Diego State University The thoroughly revised Fifth Edition of California Politics: A Primer concisely explains how California’s history, political culture, rules, and institutions come together to shape politics today and how they will determine the state of affairs tomorrow. Author Renee B. Van Vechten begins with a brief political history of California, then walks through direct democracy, the legislature, executive branch, and court system. She covers local government and concludes with a discussion of the state’s budget process, campaigns and elections, political engagement, and policy issues. From the structure of the state′s government to its local representatives, policies, and voter participation, California Politics: A Primer delivers the concepts and details students need. New to the Fifth Edition An emphasis on California’s place in the federal system provides students with context around the state leadership′s resistance to Trump administration policies on things like California’s sanctuary state status, immigration, the environment, and more. Increased coverage of policy topics throughout the book helps students see how recent policy has impacted issues such as greenhouse gas emissions regulations, attempted "fixes" for water- and drought-related issues, new transportation projects, and prison reform. Extended discussions of elections-related innovations introduce students to recent elections-related topics such as the Top-Two Primary, efforts to increase voter registration, all vote-by-mail elections, and redistricting. New coverage of the "Five Californias" gives students a better understanding of California’s political geography and how distinct segments of the population are primed for political engagement or disaffection. New lists of key terms with clear definitions at the end of each chapter enable students to review the content more effectively. New and updated maps and graphics depict important topics such as California’s newly proposed high-speed rail project. Instructors, sign in at study.sagepub.com/california5e to access test banks built on Bloom’s Taxonomy; editable, chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides; a set of all the graphics from the text; and more!