California Government and Politics Today

CHAPTER 1: California Politics in Perspective
CHAPTER 2: The Californians: Land, People, and Political Culture
CHAPTER 3: California’s Historical Development
CHAPTER 4: Freedom and Equality: California’s Delicate Balance
CHAPTER 5: Media Influences and Interest Groups
CHAPTER 6: Political Parties and Other Voluntary Organizations
CHAPTER 7: Campaigns and Elections: Too Many?
CHAPTER 8: The California Legislature
CHAPTER 9: California’s Plural Executive: Governor Plus Seven
CHAPTER 10: Paying the Bills: California’s Budget Struggles
CHAPTER 11: California Courts and Judges
CHAPTER 12: Criminal Justice and Civil Law
CHAPTER 13: City Governments: Providing the Basics
CHAPTER 14: Counties, Special Districts, and Education K-Graduate
CHAPTER 15: Challenges for California’s Future

APPENDIX A: Directory of Political Organizations That Anyone Can Join
APPENDIX B: California State Offices
APPENDIX C: How to Get in Touch with Your Elected Officials

• “Debating the Issues” presents contrasting views of important political issues facing the state and can be used to spark classroom discussion. Each “Debating the Issues” box in-cludes “Ask Yourself”–a brief question designed to stimulate thinking and research. (ex. p. 6)
• “Compared to California” reveals unique insights about the political structures and proc-esses of California by comparing them to the federal system, other states, and other nations. (ex. p. 3)
• “Enjoying Media: Movies to See and Websites to Explore” includes both documentaries and Hollywood fiction as well as websites that illuminate various aspects of California life. (ex. p. 9)