Quality public education, modern highway systems, and reasonably
priced housing-these are just some of the qualities that once made
California one of the most desirable places to live. Just a few
decades later, the state finds itself with an education system that
is failing its citizens, one of the highest unemployment rates in
the nation, and a quickly evaporating dream of home ownership.
Illustrating each step of the breakdown that led to its current
state of dysfunction, Not So Golden After All: The Rise and Fall of
California provides insight into a system gone amuck. It addresses
complicated topics in an engaging manner to help the public and
leaders alike understand how to make policies that balance
expectations with outcomes. Key political themes covered include
disconnected institutions, perpetually unbalanced budgets,
immigration, voter ignorance, interest group influence, and
dysfunctional institutions. Investigating the gridlock that has
become all too common within the state's legislature, the book:
Demonstrates the impact of the state's inability to generate
sufficient revenue, particularly for public education and an
under-trained workforce Highlights the problems created by poor
land use planning -from suburban sprawl and government waste to
inefficient use of agricultural land Examines how interest groups
have been able to wrest control of the processes that were created
to keep them in line Identifies the duplication of efforts and
other inefficiencies at the state and local levels Author Larry
Gerston leaves no stone unturned in his discussion of California's
economy, position on the Pacific Rim, cultural diversity, land and
water issues, and its relationship with the federal government. He
examines the state's infrastructure, natural resources, immigration
issues, education, finance, healthcare, civil rights, planning and
development, security, laws, political parties, and power
structures to provide civic leaders and policy makers with the
understanding required to restore the sheen to this once glistening
paradise. The Contra Costa Times discussed Larry Gerston's recent
Commonwealth Club lecture in a May 17, 2012 article. Read an
interview with Larry Gerston in The Mercury News.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!