California Politics: A Primer by Renée B. Van Vechten offers a thorough yet concise overview of California’s institutions, politics, and initiative process, grounded in an exploration of its political culture. The thoroughly revised Fifth Edition provides students with the concepts and details they need to understand how California’s history, political culture, rules, and institutions come together to shape politics today and for tomorrow.

The book begins with a brief political history of California, then delves into direct democracy, the legislature, executive branch, and court system. It covers local government and concludes with an examination of the state’s budget process, campaigns and elections, political engagement, and policy issues. From the structure of the state’s government to its local representatives, policies, and voter participation, this primer delivers a comprehensive understanding.

New to the Fifth Edition is an emphasis on California’s place in the federal system, providing students with context around the state leadership’s resistance to Trump administration policies on issues like sanctuary state status, immigration, the environment, and more. This edition ensures that readers are well-equipped to understand the complexities of California’s political landscape.

Print Length: 224 pages

Publication Date: February 19, 2018

ISBN-10: 1506380352

ISBN-13: 978-1506380353

Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.51 x 9.13 inches

Ronnee Schreiber, San Diego State University, writes in the preface: “A thorough yet concise overview of California institutions, politics, and initiative process, grounded in an overview of California’s political culture.”

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