State and Local Government ─ Sustainability in the 21st Century

The best learning requires access to textbooks that match both student and instructor expectations. At one time, state and local government courses were a required aspect of political science (or government or public affairs) undergraduate education. With the exception of a few states, which still require such a course, classes on state and local government have become elective in most colleges and universities. Times are changing rather dramatically in this area, however. It is broadly felt now among public policy scholars that while many areas of governmental responsibility are indeed shaped by federal government policies and mandates, many emerging issues of import for local and state government are related to the sustainability of quality of life in states and local communities across the country. This concern for sustainability represents a critical topic of study tied directly to local customs, natural resources, social institutions and cultural values. It follows that both student and instructor expectations in the area of state and local government center upon the extent of and nature of the discussion of sustainability themes featured in a textbook being considered for course adoption.

The major goal of this book is to provide an accessible overview and guide to state and local government for students with little to no previous exposure (and possibly limited interest) in order to encourage and facilitate lifelong civic engagement. In an attempt to achieve this principal purpose, we present state and local government in a contemporary context by examining the many forces that either promote or threaten social, economic, institutional and environmental sustainability. The book makes note of where students can go to find additional information on their own and on other state and local governments, and how citizens can follow the developments of - and even become actively involved in - the unfolding of state and local governance issues that affect their own daily lives in many ways.

Christopher A. Simon is Professor of Political Science and Director of the Master of Public Administration Program at the University of Utah.
Brent S. Steel is Professor of Political Science and Director of the Master of Public Policy Program at Oregon State University.
Nicholas P. Lovrich is Director of the Division of Governmental Studies and Services at Washington State University.