Delaware Politics and Government

W. Boyer William, C. Ratledge Edward

Description

This volume provides a comprehensive analysis of both the historical and the contemporary dimensions of the politics and government of the “First State.” Once a sparsely populated, agrarian, and relatively insignificant polity, Delaware has become a densely and diversely populated financial and legal center often called the “corporation capital of the world.” Delaware’s prime location has been central to its development and transition from a goods-producing economy to a fast-growing, service-based economy. Despite its diminutive size, Delaware is, in many ways, the nation’s preferred corporate home.

 

William W. Boyer and Edward C. Ratledge provide an overview of Delaware’s history, structure, and present politics and explain why one of the smallest states in the country is also one of the most powerful. Delaware continually promotes pro-business legislation, business and public objectives are entwined, and privatization is a dominant theme in public affairs. The state has an individualistic political order in which public participation is indirect and citizen activism is limited.

Sujets

• USA
• United States of America
• Central government
• Region
• Administrative division
• Regional
• États-Unis
• Delaware

Informations

• Publié par: Nebraska Paperback
• Date de parution: 01 avril 2009
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780803224728
• Langue: English

Extrait

delaware politics and government

Politics and Governments of the American States

Founding Editor

Daniel J. Elazar

Published by the University of Nebraska Press in association with the Center for the Study of Federalism at the Robert B. and Helen S. Meyner Center for the Study of State and Local Government, Lafayette College

william w. boyer and edward c. ratledge

Delaware Politics and Government

university of nebraska press lincoln and london

©2009by the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United States of America.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Boyer, William W. Delaware politics and government / William W. Boyer and Edward C. Ratledge. p. cm.—(Politics and governments of the American states) Includes bibliographical references and index. isbn 978-0-8032-1345-6(cloth : alk. paper)— isbn 978-0-8032-6220-1(pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Delaware—Politics and government. I. Ratledge, Edward C. II. Title. jk3716.b67 2009 320.4751—dc22 2008043540

Set in Times by Bob Reitz. Designed by Joel Gehringer.

To the memory of Dr. John A. Munroe (1914–2006) colleague, friend, and eminent historian of Delaware

contents

Illustrations, ix Preface, xi

one Delaware in Transition,1

two Political Culture of the “First State,”15

three Delaware in the Federal System,25

four The Constitution,39

five Political Parties and Elections,52

six The Governor and Administration,71

seven The General Assembly,83

eight Courts, Judges, and Lawyers,103

nine State-Local Relations,116

ten Public Finance,134

eleven Nongovernmental Influence and Participation,146

twelve Sprawl, Pollution, and Health,157

Epilogue,171 Notes,177 Suggested Sources for Further Reading,197 Index,201

illustrations

map of delaware, 14

figures

1. Delaware Population by County,1790–2030,7

2. Delaware Race Distribution,1950–2030,8

3. Acres of Delaware Farmland,1920–2027,10

4. Delaware Employment by Sector,1939–2007,12

5. Distribution of Delaware Registered Voters,1960–2006,59

6. Respondents to “Where would you most like to live?”1995–2005,118

7. Delaware General Fund Revenues, FY2007,139

8. Delaware General Fund Expenditures, FY2007,140

table 1. delaware health rankings, 2006, 2005, 1990, 166