A readable and thought-provoking textbook designed to introduce students to California politics, the updated sixth edition of Democracy in California explains the Golden State’s governmental institutions and how their dynamics affects the lives of Californians. In doing so, the authors examine California history, political traditions, and political character. In addition to thorough coverage of California’s constitution and development, this book also explain each branch of government as well as local systems. Exploring the nature of public opinion, parties, and campaigns, the authors show the effects that the state’s diverse population has on all levels of politics and government.

A readable and thought-provoking textbook designed to introduce students to California politics, the updated sixth edition of Democracy in California explains the Golden State’s governmental institutions and how their dynamics affects the lives of Californians. In doing so, the authors examine California history, political traditions, and political character. In addition to thorough coverage of California’s constitution and development, this book also explain each branch of government as well as local systems. Exploring the nature of public opinion, parties, and campaigns, the authors show the effects that the state’s diverse population has on all levels of politics and government.

America's foster care system has a noble goal-to care for children that for various reasons can no longer be cared for by their families-but years of inattention and inadequate funding have left many foster youth in a precarious state. This resource provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the American foster care system. Areas of coverage include the scaffolding of foster care systems in the various states (each of which operate their own unique systems through their social service agencies); conditions under which children are taken out of their families of origin and placed in foster care; the experiences of both young children and older teens in foster homes; challenges for foster children who "age out" of the system; and proposals to reform and improve foster care across the nation. Geared for students, this book contains chapters devoted to the background and history of foster care in America; the systems's problems, controversies, and solutions; original essay contributions exploring various facets of the system; profiles of leading foster care activists and organizations; governmental data and excerpts of primary documents on the topic; and an annotated list of important books, scholarly journals, and nonprint sources for further research. It closes with a detailed chronology, glossary of terms, and subject index. Provides a complete, accessible explanation of how the foster care system works Emphasizes the experiences of children placed in foster care Highlights efforts and proposals aimed at improving the experiences and outcomes for children and families interacting with America's child welfare system Details the challenges that face foster children that "age out" of the system

Surveys the history of youth unemployment and identifies key issues underlying the current crisis. The Youth Unemployment Crisis: A Reference Handbook examines the recent phenomenon in the United States wherein young workers ages 16 to 24 are unemployed or disconnected from the labor force at disproportionate rates. It describes in detail what led to the crisis, who it affects, and what can be and is being done about it. The book opens with a chapter that addresses the nature and scope of the crisis, which is followed by a discussion of the inherent problems, controversies, and possible solutions. It includes essays from a diverse range of contributors, providing useful perspectives to round out the author's expertise, as well as a collection of data and documents; an overview of important people, organizations, and resources relating to the crisis; a chronology listing important events in the youth unemployment timeline; and a glossary of key terms.

An indispensable resource for all readers, this book summarizes the founding of America alongside the personal and public life of one of America's most influential Founders through a comprehensive investigation of Hamilton's extensive writings. A product of extremely humble birth, Alexander Hamilton rose to become one of America's leading political figures, helping to determine the direction of nearly all of the seminal events of the founding of the country. The author introduces, provides notes on, and critically evaluates approximately 60 key documents that Hamilton wrote from his youth in the Caribbean through his leadership of the Federalist Party in the 1800s. In examining these writings, the book covers important periods of American history including the American Revolution, the ratification of the Constitution, the formation of the nation's first financial system, and the establishment of political parties. This book is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to study the key moments of the revolutionary and founding periods of America through the life and legacy of one of the country's most eminent statesmen. The work concludes with a chronology that provides historical context for the most significant personal and political events in Hamilton's life and a bibliography that offers a basis for further study.