James D. Nowlan's Books

Fixing Illinois

Politics and Policy in the Prairie State

By: James D. Nowlan,J. Thomas Johnson

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Fixing Illinois

Politics and Policy in the Prairie State

By: James D. Nowlan,J. Thomas Johnson

In the 1950s, thriving commerce, strong leadership, and geographical good fortune made Illinois one of the most envied states in the nation. Today, persistent problems have left it the butt of jokes and threatened it with fiscal catastrophe. In Fixing Illinois, James D. Nowlan and J. Thomas Johnson use their four decades of experience as public servants, Springfield veterans, and government observers to present a comprehensive program of almost one hundred specific policy ideas aimed at rescuing the state from its long list of problems, including: An overhaul of state pension systems that includes more reasonable benefits and raising of the retirement age, among other changes; Broadening of the tax base to include services and reductions in rates; Raising funds with capital construction bonds to update and integrate the antiquated information systems used by state agencies; Uprooting the state's entrenched culture of corruption via public financing of elections, redistricting reform, and revolving door prohibitions for lawmakers Pointed, honest, and pragmatic, Fixing Illinois is a plan for effective and honest government that seeks an even nobler end: restoring our faith in Illinois's institutions and reviving a sense of citizenship and state pride.

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Page Count

201

Publisher

University of Illinois Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0252096355

ISBN 13

9780252096358

Wisconsin Politics and Government

America's Laboratory of Democracy

By: James K. Conant

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Wisconsin Politics and Government

America's Laboratory of Democracy

By: James K. Conant

Throughout the twentieth century, Wisconsin won national visibility and praise for its role as a ?laboratory of democracy? within the American federal system. In Wisconsin Politics and Government James K. Conant traces the development of the state and its Progressive heritage from the early territorial experience to contemporary times. Conant includes a discussion of the four major periods of institutional and policy innovation that occurred in Wisconsin during the twentieth century as well as an examination of the state?s constitution, legislature, office of the governor, courts, political parties and elections, interest groups, social welfare policy, local governments, state-local relations, and current and emerging issues. ø Readers of Wisconsin Politics and Government are likely to find a close correspondence between Wisconsin's social, economic, and political experience during the twentieth century and the essential democratic characteristics Alexis de Tocqueville describes in his classic work Democracy in America. For example, Wisconsin?s twentieth-century civil society was highly developed: its elected and administrative officials continuously sought to improve the state's political and administrative institutions, and they worked to enhance the economic and social conditions of the state's citizens. Other modern characteristics of the state's democratic experience include issue-oriented politics, government institutions operating free of scandal, and citizens turning out to vote in large numbers.

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Page Count

441

Publisher

U of Nebraska Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0803264569

ISBN 13

9780803264564

Illinois Politics

A Citizen's Guide

By: James D. Nowlan,Samuel K Gove,Richard J. Winkel

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Illinois Politics

A Citizen's Guide

By: James D. Nowlan,Samuel K Gove,Richard J. Winkel

Considered a microcosm of the nation, the state of Illinois stretches almost four hundred miles from its northern limit at the Wisconsin line to its southern tip at Cairo, nestled between Kentucky and Missouri. Its political culture is as intriguing as the state is long. Illinois has produced presidents and leading members of Congress. It also has a long history of political corruption, including, in recent years, the federal indictments of two consecutive governors. The population of the state is exceptionally diverse, with a significant number of new immigrants. Its political allegiance, once firmly Republican, has trended ever more Democratic. Illinois can be divided neatly into three distinct regions: Chicago, the suburban collar surrounding the city, and the ninety-five downstate counties. Based on the research and experience of respected veterans of Illinois politics, this book shows how the government runs, how politics operates, and what obstacles and opportunities exist for change. It explains how power is exercised and how parties compete for it. For engaged citizens, scholars, and students, Illinois Politics: A Citizen's Guide is a timely and much-needed roadmap for positive change.

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282

Publisher

University of Illinois Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0252092015

ISBN 13

9780252092015

Illinois Politics

A Citizen's Guide to Power, Politics, and Government

By: Melissa Mouritsen,Kent D. Redfield,James D. Nowlan

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Illinois Politics

A Citizen's Guide to Power, Politics, and Government

By: Melissa Mouritsen,Kent D. Redfield,James D. Nowlan

Shifting demographics. Downstate versus Chicago. Billionaires and bribery. Even veteran observers need a roadmap to track Illinois’ ever-changing political landscape. Melissa Mouritsen, Kent D. Redfield, and James D. Nowlan provide an up-to-date primer on Prairie State politics, government, and policies. Features include: Discussions of recent events like the 2015-2017 budget disaster, the response to COVID-19, and the fall of longtime House Speaker Michael Madigan; New chapters on corruption, social policies, and the political rules of the game; Perspectives on the nuts-and-bolts of campaign funding, the ways political actors acquire power or influence, and many other topics; Close examinations of complex issues like the state’s increased polarization and its ongoing fiscal recovery. Fully revised and expanded, Illinois Politics blends detailed information with expert analysis to offer an essential resource for citizens, students, and public servants alike.

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Page Count

261

Publisher

University of Illinois Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0252056752

ISBN 13

9780252056758

Patchwork Nation

Sectionalism and Political Change in American Politics

By: James G. Gimpel,Jason E. Schuknecht

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Patchwork Nation

Sectionalism and Political Change in American Politics

By: James G. Gimpel,Jason E. Schuknecht

Though local and regional politics are often ignored in political-behavior literature, analyses of these areas are fundamental to understanding the scope of political change in the regimes experiencing realignment and for which there are no survey data. With the unprecedented population movement and socioeconomic mobility of the twentieth century, political support has been reshuffled in many parts of the country. Yet at the dawn of the new century, these local and regional movements are rather poorly understood. Patchwork Nation examines the forces that account for pervasive political regionalism and the geographic shifts that continue to alter the nation's political landscape. The authors focus on twelve states in particular, identifying regional differences in support for candidates or political parties and find that the electoral foundations for political regionalism differ from state to state. Thus, regionalism within states is not easily reducible to one or two population characteristics that are common to all states. The authors demonstrate the importance of a political geographic approach to American political behavior and challenge the tendency in the scholarly literature to ignore the impact and significance of local contexts. James G. Gimpel is Professor of Government and Politics, University of Maryland, College Park. Jason E. Schuknecht is a Research Analyst at Westat, Inc. in Rockville, Maryland.

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Page Count

489

Publisher

University of Michigan Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0472022911

ISBN 13

9780472022915

Corn Kings and One-Horse Thieves

A Plain-Spoken History of Mid-Illinois

By: James Krohe

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Corn Kings and One-Horse Thieves

A Plain-Spoken History of Mid-Illinois

By: James Krohe

This popular general history of the middle third of Illinois is organized thematically and covers the Woodland period of prehistory until roughly 1960"--

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Page Count

361

Publisher

SIU Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0809336022

ISBN 13

9780809336029

State and Local Politics

Government by the People

By: James MacGregor Burns

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State and Local Politics

Government by the People

By: James MacGregor Burns

Updated to include the results of the 1996 elections that saw the Republicans retain control of both houses of Congress, this text examines the role of state and local politics in our federal system vis a vis the national government. Continuation of the Republican agenda to give more authority to the states will further the expanded policy-making endeavors of governors and state legislatures. State and Local Politics: Government by the People, Ninth Edition, is a timely look at how state governments operate in this dynamic environment." "Who influences local governments? What are the effects of party politics? And what role do the people play in decision making by state legislatures, governors, and bureaucrats? These are questions raised by the authors. A look at the prerogatives and perquisites of legislators and governors, how they perform their duties, and how they work with other state and local elected officials are included. A chapter is devoted to the role of the courts and to the judicial reform movement. The relationship between local governments, the power of mayors, and how decisions are made in counties, towns, and suburbs are covered extensively." "Closing with a discussion of who works for and who pays for government, this critical analysis of the dynamics of state and local politics will shed light on the debate over who runs American government at every level."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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Page Count

308

Published Date

ISBN 10

0136395686

ISBN 13

9780136395683

City Politics, Canada

By: James Lightbody

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City Politics, Canada

By: James Lightbody

City Politics, Canada will both irritate and please, but it should be read—it raises all the important questions about urban governance in Canada." - Caroline Andrew, Centre on Governance, University of Ottawa

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Page Count

578

Publisher

University of Toronto Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1551117533

ISBN 13

9781551117539

The Itinerant

A Heartland Story

By: James Dunlap Nowlan

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The Itinerant

A Heartland Story

By: James Dunlap Nowlan

This novel tells the story of a journeyman printer Jake Trickle, who stepped off the bus in Williamstown, Illinois, and found love, community and the challenge of politics. He learned that "road oil and romance don't mix," through a series fo discoveries tumbling one after another that changed lives all over Williamstown--including his. This insightful look at mid-20th century life in central Illinois will provide a walk down memory lane that touches your heart while it broadens you feeling for people and politics. Your view of small town America will never be quite the same, but you will be richer in understanding people everywhere. This is a perfect choice for book discussion clubs of whatever generation or geographic location. While fiction, the novel also portrays an historically accurate descrtion fo the time, culture and social dynamic of its setting.

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Page Count

260

Publisher

Conversation Press, Incorporated

Published Date

ISBN 10

0963439561

ISBN 13

9780963439567

Book's by James D. Nowlan

Fixing Illinois

Fixing Illinois

Wisconsin Politics and Government

Wisconsin Politics and Government

Illinois Politics

Illinois Politics

Illinois Politics

Illinois Politics

Patchwork Nation

Patchwork Nation

Corn Kings and One-Horse Thieves

Corn Kings and One-Horse Thieves

State and Local Politics

State and Local Politics

City Politics, Canada

City Politics, Canada

The Itinerant

The Itinerant

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