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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Peaslee, Liliokanaio.
Virginia government : institutions and policy / Liliokanaio Peaslee and Nicholas J. Swartz, James Madison University.
pages cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-4522-0589-2
1. VirginiaPolitics and government. 2. Public administrationVirginia. 3. Political planningVirginia. I. Title.
JK3916.P43 2013
320.49755dc23 2013016272
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
13 14 15 16 17 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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List of Tables, Figures, and Boxes
Tables
Figures
Boxes
Preface
T idea for this book grew out of our own experiences in teaching undergraduate and graduate-level students at James Madison University (JMU).We were both frustrated with the lack of readily available and concise information on Virginia state government and policy. While there existed a number of texts dedicated to Virginias rich political history and in-depth analyses of particular aspects of Virginia government, missing was a comprehensive overview of institutions and contemporary policy issues. This book is designed to fill that gap within our own classes as well as to meet the needs of a variety of other audiences. Beginning in 2011, Virginia now requires state and local government-specific competencies for teacher licensure (SB 715: Civics Education: Teachers Training to Include Local Government and Civics Specific to State). This book can easily be adopted for new and existing courses designed to satisfy the new specifications for teacher training. The text will also benefit Virginia citizens and government officials at the state and local levels who are interested in learning more about political institutions and policymaking in their state.
Virginia Government: Institutions and Policy is designed to serve as a companion text to introductory state and local government books, as well as to stand alone as a brief introduction to the topic. While the text provides an in-depth exploration of state-level institutions and actors in Virginia, it is grounded in the comparative method; throughout the text, we provide useful comparisons with governing institutions, political processes, and public polices in other states and localities. The book provides a mix of necessary background and historical analysis with current events and policy issues to make the information relevant and engaging to todays students and those interested in learning more about Virginia.
This book would not have been possible without the help of research assistants from JMUs undergraduate program in public policy and administration and masters program in public administration. We thank them for their hard work and dedication to this endeavor. We would also like to thank our friends and family who supported us throughout this process, particularly Jonas and Ben. Lastly, we would like to thank our reviewers Jerry Buschee, Mount Olive College; Mary Carver, Longwood University; and Roy Kirby, Roanoke College whose helpful comments and criticisms provided valuable feedback to strengthen this book.
About the Authors
Dr. Liliokanaio Peaslee is an assistant professor of Public Policy and Administration in the Department of Political Science at James Madison University. She has an undergraduate degree in political science, a masters degree in social policy, and a joint PhD in politics and social policy. Dr. Peaslee has published in the area of community policing, youth development, mentoring, rural education and employment policy, and university-community partnerships.
Dr. Nicholas J. Swartz is an assistant professor of Public Policy and Administration in the Department of Political Science at James Madison University. He is also the director of the Master in Public Administration program. He has an undergraduate degree in political science, a masters degree in public administration, and a doctorate degree in public policy. Dr. Swartz has published in the area of emergency management, city-county governmental consolidation, local government and nonprofit management succession planning, and university-community partnerships.
CHAPTER
An Introduction to Government and Policymaking in the Commonwealth
OUTLINE
One State, Many Virginias
An Unparalleled Political History
A Snapshot of Virginia Citizens
The Economy
Plan of the Book
I know no safe depositary of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education.
