California: The Politics of Diversity examines the diverse and hyperpluralistic nature of California, particularly its people and the groups to which they belong. In their accessible style, Lawrence and Cummins bring an informed, insightful perspective to the examination of the numerous pressures that make governing the state increasingly challenging. Learning objectives and chapter conclusions offer students a roadmap to key ideas while study questions encourage critical thinking. Textboxes emphasize how California compares to the other states and highlight voices of prominent policymakers. No other textbook on California politics offers as much coverage and in-depth analysis of the state’s political development and institutions that have shaped the Golden State into what it is today. The eleventh edition has been revised to reflect the latest developments in California politics, including: Coverage of the first term of Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration Analysis of the impact of the COVID pandemic on the state’s politics and economy Discussion of the 2021 gubernatorial recall Updated analysis of the state’s major policy areas, including water, housing, transportation, health care, education, crime, immigration, and climate change Changes in demographics and voter turnout in 2022 general election Updated and expanded pedagogy and art program Jeff Cummins has provided a revised instructor’s manual, test bank, and new lecture slides. These resources may be found online at the book’s website: https://textbooks.rowman.com/california11e

California: The Politics of Diversity examines the diverse and hyperpluralistic nature of California, particularly its people and the groups to which they belong. In their accessible style, Lawrence and Cummins bring an informed, insightful perspective to the examination of the numerous pressures that make governing the state increasingly challenging. Learning objectives and chapter conclusions offer students a roadmap to key ideas while study questions encourage critical thinking. Textboxes emphasize how California compares to the other states and highlight voices of prominent policymakers. No other textbook on California politics offers as much coverage and in-depth analysis of the state’s political development and institutions that have shaped the Golden State into what it is today. The eleventh edition has been revised to reflect the latest developments in California politics, including: Coverage of the first term of Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration Analysis of the impact of the COVID pandemic on the state’s politics and economy Discussion of the 2021 gubernatorial recall Updated analysis of the state’s major policy areas, including water, housing, transportation, health care, education, crime, immigration, and climate change Changes in demographics and voter turnout in 2022 general election Updated and expanded pedagogy and art program Jeff Cummins has provided a revised instructor’s manual, test bank, and new lecture slides. These resources may be found online at the book’s website: https://textbooks.rowman.com/california11e

While this new edition will include key political developments over the last few years, California politics remains affected by the diverse and hyperpluralistic nature of the state itself, particularly its people and the groups to which they belong. Although political leadership is central to governing, the authors continue to explain California politics through the dual lenses of diversity and a variant of pluralism they call hyperpluralism. In all nine editions, the authors have tried to show two things: (1) how demographic, cultural, economic, geographic, and political diversity affect how politics actually works in California, and (2) how the exceedingly pluralistic nature of the state results in a highly competitive tug-of-war between ideologies, institutions, policymakers, political parties, interest groups , and voters.