In this Third Edition of STATE AND LOCAL POLITICS: INSTITUTIONS AND REFORM, Donovan, Mooney, and Smith go beyond the purely descriptive treatment usually found in state and local texts. Offering an engaging comparative approach, the Third Edition shows students how politics and government differ between states and communities, and points out the causes and effects of those variations. The text also focuses on what social scientists know about the effects of rules and institutions on politics and policy. This comparative, institutional framework enables students to think more analytically about the impact of institutions on policy outcomes, asks them to evaluate the effectiveness of one institutional approach over another, and encourages them to consider more sophisticated solutions. Written by three young, high-profile specialists who have contributed significantly to the field in the last decade, STATE AND LOCAL POLITICS: INSTITUTIONS AND REFORM incorporates the most recent scholarship available into the course, giving students access to perspectives that no other textbook on the market currently provides.

Tom Farrell (1904-1996) was always driven by a strong sense of civic duty and community service who worked tirelessly for the people of Newcastle and the Hunter Region. His commitment to the environment led him to fight for the establishment of numerous parks and reserves in and around Newcastle. Keen to see higher education made available locally, he played his part in the establishment of the University of Newcastle. He also devoted much time and energy to the establishment of a seventh state in New South Wales and was a prominent member of the Cardiff Heights Progress Association, the Newcastle University Establishment Group, the Northern Parks and Playgrounds Movement and the New England New State Movement. This book sets out to chart the remarkable career of this inspirational Novocastrian.

During the 1940s and '50s in Australia there rose to prominence many icons of Aboriginal descent, representative of the culture of the day and of their own people. Some permanently influenced the minds of Australians and remain famous to this day. Others have been unjustly forgotten. This book offers an unparalleled biographical exploration of their lives, providing a prism through which the reader can view and come to a better understanding of significant aspects of resilient Aboriginal culture and its place in Australian history. Albert Namatjira was a great watercolour landscape artist. Harold Blair was an outstandingly charismatic concert tenor of vast audience appeal. Robert Tudawali and Ngarla Kunoth were the famous stars of Charles Chauvel's ground-breaking Australian movie, Jedda. Reg Saunders was a highly decorated war hero and the first Aboriginal commissioned officer in the permanent Australian armed forces. Harry Penrith (later known as Burnum Burnum) was a brilliant and versatile teenage sporting star and later a public figure of charisma and controversy.

In this Fourth Edition of STATE AND LOCAL POLITICS: INSTITUTIONS AND REFORM, Donovan, Smith, Mooney, and new co-author Tracy Osborn go beyond the purely descriptive treatment usually found in state and local texts. Offering an engaging comparative approach, the Fourth Edition shows you how politics and government differ between states and communities, and points out the causes and effects of those variations. The text also focuses on what social scientists know about the effects of rules and institutions on politics and policy. This comparative, institutional framework enables you to think more analytically about the impact of institutions on policy outcomes, asks you to evaluate the effectiveness of one institutional approach over another, and encourages you to consider more sophisticated solutions.