The Los Angeles riots in the Spring of 1992 were among the most violent and destructive events in twentieth-century urban America. This collection of original essays by leading urban experts offers the first comprehensive analysis of the unrest that took place after a jury acquitted the police officers who were accused of using excessive force in t

Takes a fresh look at American suburbs, explains why they are changing, and discusses the housing crisis, growth, local government, and demand for services.

-- Richard Evans Schultes, Botanical Museum of Harvard University

When Orange County, California, filed for Chapter 9 protection on December 6, 1994, it became the largest municipality in United States history to declare bankruptcy. In the first comprehensive analysis of this momentous fiscal crisis, Mark Baldassare uncovers the many twists and turns from the dark days in December 1994 to the financial recovery of June 1996. Utilizing a wealth of primary materials from the county government and Merrill Lynch, as well as interviews with key officials and players in this drama, Mark Baldassare untangles the causes of this $1.64 billion fiasco. He finds three factors critical to understanding the bankruptcy: one, the political fragmentation of the numerous local governments in the area; two, the fiscal conservatism underlying voters' feelings about their tax dollars; three, the financial austerity in state government and in meeting rising state expenditures. Baldassare finds that these forces help to explain how a county known for its affluence and conservative politics could have allowed its cities' school, water, transportation, and sanitation agencies to be held hostage to this failed investment pool. Meticulously examining the events that led up to the bankruptcy, the local officials' response to the fiscal emergency, and the road to fiscal recovery - as well as the governmental reforms engendered by the crisis - "When Government Fails" is a dramatic and instructive economic morality tale. Eminently readable, it underlines the dangers inherent in a freewheeling bull economy and the imperatives of local and state governments to protect fiscal assets. As Baldassare shows, Orange County need not - and should not - happen again.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1979.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1979.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1981.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1981.

This book examines the new, hybrid democracy that has been taking shape in California since the historic recall of Gov. Gray Davis and election of former actor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2003. During the recall and its aftermath, California has reached unprecedented levels of use of direct democracy, in which public policy decisions are made by voters at the ballot box, rather than by elected representatives in the legislature. Driven by Californians' long-standing populism and distrust of government, a new form of governance is emerging: one that seeks to avoid the pitfalls of party politics and influence by special interest groups that plague representative democracy, by increasing the role of voters at the ballot box. This book analyzes the hybrid democracy that has developed under Gov. Schwarzenegger, and how his leadership has encouraged its growth. Using the Public Policy Institute of California Statewide Surveys, which include interviews with more than 150,000 Californians, the authors detail the transformation in the state's political climate and the public attitudes behind this change. The authors conclude that this transformation will likely take place in other states, perhaps even nationwide, and offer recommendations for ways to improve policymaking in a hybrid democracy.

This book examines the new, hybrid democracy that has been taking shape in California since the historic recall of Gov. Gray Davis and election of former actor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2003. During the recall and its aftermath, California has reached unprecedented levels of use of direct democracy, in which public policy decisions are made by voters at the ballot box, rather than by elected representatives in the legislature. Driven by Californians' long-standing populism and distrust of government, a new form of governance is emerging: one that seeks to avoid the pitfalls of party politics and influence by special interest groups that plague representative democracy, by increasing the role of voters at the ballot box. This book analyzes the hybrid democracy that has developed under Gov. Schwarzenegger, and how his leadership has encouraged its growth. Using the Public Policy Institute of California Statewide Surveys, which include interviews with more than 150,000 Californians, the authors detail the transformation in the state's political climate and the public attitudes behind this change. The authors conclude that this transformation will likely take place in other states, perhaps even nationwide, and offer recommendations for ways to improve policymaking in a hybrid democracy.

"A thought-provoking analysis by one of the most astute analysts of the California scene."--U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein

"If you care about the direction in which America is headed, then you must pay attention to California. To understand California today and decades from now, you must read Baldassare's masterful assessment. He knows the issues and he takes you inside the head of California voters--old, young, Latino, white, he talks to them all. And you can forget your assumptions: Baldassare proves the stereotypes wrong."--Judy Woodruff, Anchor, CNN's "Inside Politics

"Probing the social and political mindset of California offers a shortcut into the American future. No one knows California better in this regard than Baldassare, and never has he been more on top of his game than in this landmark study of California today--and America tomorrow."--Dr. Kevin Starr, State Librarian of California

"Many people speculate about the expanding social and political clout of Latinos in California, but Baldassare uses solid evidence to reveal what's driving this dynamic population--from unique political attitudes to highest-level optimism. Read this book and you'll understand the profound influence that growing Latino participation will have on the Golden State's future."--Monica Lozano, President, "La Opinion

"Baldassare has probed as deeply and wisely as anyone ever has into that most fascinating and, at times, most enigmatic of public phenomena, the behavior of the California voter. With "A California State of Mind, he has made an indispensable contribution to our understanding of the politics of our time."--Peter Schrag, author of "Paradise Lost: California's Experience, America'sFuture

"An invaluable book for policy makers in California and nationwide. Baldassare both provides a detailed and thoughtful analysis of the disconnect between Californians and their government and buttresses his argument with a wealth of data. Anyone interested in improving our political life will want to own this book."--Dan Yankelovich, Chairman, Public Agenda and Viewpoint Learning

"No one knows how Californians think about politics better than Baldassare does. Anyone interested in California politics should read this book."--Jack Peltason, coauthor of "Government by the People and "Understanding the Constitution

"Backed by stunningly thorough documentation, this book is an essential and sobering primer to understanding why California really "is different."--Tom Goldstein, editor of "Killing the Messenger

"Baldassare has long been one of the most perceptive analysts of politics and public opinion in California. His new book is indispensable reading for anyone who wants to understand the changing political landscape, and the subtle shadings of public attitudes, in the nation's largest state."--Ronald Brownstein, political columnist, "Los Angeles Times

"Baldassare's discussions of California's demographic and geographic diversity are fresh and innovative. The very large, original surveys that the author collected provide important information."--Bruce Cain, Director, Institute of Governmental Studies, University of California, Berkeley

"Mark Baldassare has probed as deeply and wisely as anyone ever has into that most fascinating and, at times, most enigmatic of public phenomena, the behavior of the California voter. With A California State of Mind, he's made an indispensable contribution to our understanding of the politics of our time."--Peter Schrag, author of "Paradise Lost: California's Experience, America's Future

"Mark Baldassare provides the next best thing to a crystal ball for California's future. This book should be required reading for all public officials in California, especially those who think they are up to the challenge of leading the Golden State into the 21st Century."--Ruben Barrales, President and CEO, Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network

"Through his keen insights on the rapidly changing cross currents of political and social life in California, Mark Baladassare has provided us with not only a vivid description of where the State is today, but a thought provoking view of where America may be going."--Richard T. Schlosberg III, President and CEO, the David & Lucile Packard Foundation

""California in the New Millennium contains a wealth of data and valuable analysis concerning the political, demographic, and social changes affecting governance in the nation's most populous and diverse state. This book offers a sobering-and challenging-portrait of the bellwether state as it enters the 21st century. Itprovides America's leaders and citizens a window to the country's future."--Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, senior associate at the School of Politics and Economics at Claremont Graduate University, contributing editor to Opinion in the Los Angeles Times, and political analyst for KCAL-TV in Los Angeles

"What do you call four disparate states populated by mutually suspicious ethnic communities united by a common distrust of government? The Balkans? No. California. In this sharp and engaging book, Baldassare sets out what needs to be done for California to make it in the 21st Century."--Bill Schneider, Senior Political Analyst, CNN

"In so many ways, the nation state of California today--with all its promise and all its problems--is the United States of Tomorrow. To understand the nation's future, we must first look to this Golden State. In his understanding and knowledge of California and its people, Mark Baldassare is second to none. With scholarship and wisdom, in "California in the New Millennium: The Changing Social and Political Landscape Mark Baldassare permits us to 'look around the corner' to the California and the United States of the 21st Century."--Mark Shields, Syndicated Columnist

"Baldassare highlights the enormity of change which faces California in the years ahead. He rightly calls on public leaders and citizens alike to thoughtfully confront challenges of unprecedented scale and impact."--Philip Angelides, Treasurer, State of California

"Mark Baldassare has provided a much-needed, one-stop source for pertinent data that explains California's political landscape-today and, most likely, far into the future. Read it and you'll become an expert. If you're already an expert,this will keep you ahead of the curve."--George Skelton, Los Angeles Times Political Columnist

"No one knows how Californians think about politics better than Baldassare does. A California State of Mind will be a great success. Rich with data, it examines a critical topic from several viewpoints. Anyone interested in California politics should read this book."--Jack Peltason, coauthor of "Government by the People and "Understanding the Constitution