A readable and thought-provoking textbook, which clearly explains the politics and character of California's governmental institutions and the dynamics affecting the lives of Californians. In addition to thorough coverage of California's constitution and development, this book also examines each branch of government as well as local systems. Exploring the nature of public opinion, parties, and campaigns, the author seek to show the effects that the state's diverse population has on all levels of politics and government.

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 was director of the Center for Local Government of the Claremont Institute. 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 seven other books on modern and American political thought.



Christina G. Villegas received her Ph.D. from the University of Dallas and is assistant professor of Political Science at California State University, San Bernardino, where she teaches courses in American government, political theory, and public policy. A lifelong Californian, she is a perfect fit to enhance and improve the approach of the previous four editions. She is the author of

Contemporary World Issues: The Youth Unemployment Crisis. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger/ABC-CLIO, 2018, and Documents Decoded: Alexander Hamilton. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger/ABC-CLIO, 2018 (forthcoming).