Since the first edition in 1978, this text has been relied upon as an up-to-date, readable, and concise examination of the structure and operation of state and local government in America. The new edition looks at ways in which state and local governments are meeting new challenges such as increasing diversity, maintaining institutions of representative government as direct democracy becomes more popular, and providing citizens with government services during the most severe budget crisis since World War II. With its engaging vignettes at the beginning of each chapter and its substantial new and expanded material, State and Local Government remains an essential text for the study of sub-national politics.