"Since Why States Matter was first published, there have been many important political developments at the state level that have not only affected people''s lives, but have also impacted the relationship between the federal and state governments. In the second edition Moncrief and Squire address many of these developments, and have therefore strengthened the argument that students and scholars interested in American politics should not neglect what happens in state legislatures across the country. I know my students will enjoy the new edition, as they have reacted positively to the state-level comparative approach taken by the authors." --Richard Ledet, Troy University ""Why States Matter is a timely and important look at the role of the states in the American federal system. While much of the American public and media focus on Washington, D.C., Moncrief and Squire remind us of the crucial place of the states in the American system. The book provides an accessible but thorough introduction to state policy making and politics.

" --Jonathan Winburn, University of Mississippi "Why States Matter by Gary Moncrief and Peverill Squire not only answers the question of why, but even more important, why we should care. Today, with many Americans'' knowledge of government limited to news clips and sound bites about the breakdown of the federal government, a full understanding of how state governments influence citizens'' daily life, as well as the country''s big picture, is woefully lacking. Why States Matter provides a solid framework for why states are an essential part of the nation''s federal system. Moncrief and Squire explain in a straightforward fashion why and how states differ, how innovative policies that originated at the state level have rippled through the entire country, and why all this is important. The book is a great tool for the average citizen wanting to understand state government or the new lawmaker seeking to articulate better exactly why states matter." -- State Legislatures Magazine "Many believe that all policies flow from Washington, DC, yet individual states adopt different and distinctive approaches to solving local problems. States, not the federal government, determine many policy issues such as education, health care, marriage, abortion, concealed weapons, environmental standards, voting, and political party related matters. Moncrief and Squire discuss key roles states play and identify policy areas that are changing or potentially will change in the future.

The book guides the reader outside the organization of the legislature and into broader areas of federalism, policy making, American institutional development, electoral systems, and fiscal policy. Readers of this work will have the tools necessary to begin analyzing the central role that states play in shaping public policy. In addition, they will be prepared to assess the actual influence states reserve over their citizens. The authors'' well-documented analysis persuasively illustrates that, beyond recent controversial headlines, states are more capable today of governing themselves. Students and general readers alike will gain insight from this balanced, objective work on why states matter. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers, undergraduate students, and professionals." -- Choice Reviews olicy making and politics.

" --Jonathan Winburn, University of Mississippi "Why States Matter by Gary Moncrief and Peverill Squire not only answers the question of why, but even more important, why we should care. Today, with many Americans'' knowledge of government limited to news clips and sound bites about the breakdown of the federal government, a full understanding of how state governments influence citizens'' daily life, as well as the country''s big picture, is woefully lacking. Why States Matter provides a solid framework for why states are an essential part of the nation''s federal system. Moncrief and Squire explain in a straightforward fashion why and how states differ, how innovative policies that originated at the state level have rippled through the entire country, and why all this is important. The book is a great tool for the average citizen wanting to understand state government or the new lawmaker seeking to articulate better exactly why states matter." -- State Legislatures Magazine "Many believe that all policies flow from Washington, DC, yet individual states adopt different and distinctive approaches to solving local problems. States, not the federal government, determine many policy issues such as education, health care, marriage, abortion, concealed weapons, environmental standards, voting, and political party related matters. Moncrief and Squire discuss key roles states play and identify policy areas that are changing or potentially will change in the future.

The book guides the reader outside the organization of the legislature and into broader areas of federalism, policy making, American institutional development, electoral systems, and fiscal policy. Readers of this work will have the tools necessary to begin analyzing the central role that states play in shaping public policy. In addition, they will be prepared to assess the actual influence states reserve over their citizens. The authors'' well-documented analysis persuasively illustrates that, beyond recent controversial headlines, states are more capable today of governing themselves. Students and general readers alike will gain insight from this balanced, objective work on why states matter. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers, undergraduate students, and professionals." -- Choice Reviews ne "Many believe that all policies flow from Washington, DC, yet individual states adopt different and distinctive approaches to solving local problems.

States, not the federal government, determine many policy issues such as education, health care, marriage, abortion, concealed weapons, environmental standards, voting, and political party related matters. Moncrief and Squire discuss key roles states play and identify policy areas that are changing or potentially will change in the future. The book guides the reader outside the organization of the legislature and into broader areas of federalism, policy making, American institutional development, electoral systems, and fiscal policy. Readers of this work will have the tools necessary to begin analyzing the central role that states play in shaping public policy. In addition, they will be prepared to assess the actual influence states reserve over their citizens. The authors'' well-documented analysis persuasively illustrates that, beyond recent controversial headlines, states are more capable today of governing themselves. Students and general readers alike will gain insight from this balanced, objective work on why states matter. Summing Up: Recommended.

General readers, undergraduate students, and professionals." -- Choice Reviews oversial headlines, states are more capable today of governing themselves. Students and general readers alike will gain insight from this balanced, objective work on why states matter. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers, undergraduate students, and professionals." -- Choice Reviews olicy making and politics." --Jonathan Winburn, University of Mississippi "Why States Matter by Gary Moncrief and Peverill Squire not only answers the question of why, but even more important, why we should care. Today, with many Americans'' knowledge of government limited to news clips and sound bites about the breakdown of the federal government, a full understanding of how state governments influence citizens'' daily life, as well as the country''s big picture, is woefully lacking.

Why States Matter provides a solid framework for why states are an essential part of the nation''s federal system. Moncrief and Squire explain in a straightforward fashion why and how states differ, how innovative policies that originated at the state level have rippled through the entire country, and why all this is important. The book is a great tool for the average citizen wanting to understand state government or the new lawmaker seeking to articulate better exactly why states matter." -- State Legislatures Magazine "Many believe that all policies flow from Washington, DC, yet individual states adopt different and distinctive approaches to solving local problems. States, not the federal government, determine many policy issues such as education, health care, marriage, abortion, concealed weapons, environmental standards, voting, and political party related matters. Moncrief and Squire discuss key roles states play and identify policy areas that are changing or potentially will change in the future. The book guides the reader outside the organization of the legislature and into broader areas of federalism, policy making, American institutional development, electoral systems, and fiscal policy. Readers of this work will have the tools necessary to begin analyzing the central role that states play in shaping public policy.

In addition, they will be prepared to assess the actual influence states reserve over their citizens. The authors'' well-documented analysis persuasively illustrates that, beyond recent controversial headlines, states are more capable today of governing themselves. Students and general readers alike will gain insight from this balanced, objective work on why states matter. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers, undergraduate students, and professionals." -- Choice Reviews olicy making and politics." --Jonathan Winburn, University of Mississippi "Why States Matter by Gary Moncrief and Peverill Squire not only answers the question of why, but even more important, why we should care. Today, with many Americans'' knowledge of gov.