Delaware Politics and Government

William W. Boyer, Edward C. Ratledge

• Publisher: University of Nebraska Press
• Year: 2009
• Print ISBN: 9780803213456
• eBook ISBN: 9780803224728
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: American Government
• Index: Politics & International Relations

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.

Table of contents

• Contents
• Illustrations
• Preface
• 1. Delaware in Transition
• 2. Political Culture of the “First State”
• 3. Delaware in the Federal System
• 4. The Constitution
• 5. Political Parties and Elections
• 6. The Governor and Administration
• 7. The General Assembly
• 8. Courts, Judges, and Lawyers
• 9. State-Local Relations
• 10. Public Finance
• 11. Nongovernmental Influence and Participation
• 12. Sprawl, Pollution, and Health
• Epilogue
• Notes
• Suggested Sources for Further Reading
• Index