PS 179: Comparative State Politics
Spring 2010 (MW 2:50-4:05, Social Sciences 311)
DUKE UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
Professor Kerry L. Haynie
Office: 331 Perkins Library
Email: klhaynie@duke.edu
Office Hours: Mon 9:30-10:30;
4:15-5:15
Phone: 660-4366
Political scientists often say that the American states are a natural laboratory for
research. The states represent 50 units of analysis with broadly similar political
institutions and structures, but with significant and limited variation on a range of
social, policy, and institutional characteristics that are directly relevant to many of our theories of
politics. Unlike the examination of single units of government, or single governmental institutions
such as the U.S. Congress or the U.S. Supreme Court, there is enough variation across states in
these characteristics for scholars to conduct a variety of studies using a variety of methodologies.
While the states have always played a critical role in the politics and policies of the nation, over
the past four decades, we have witnessed an amazing and unprecedented resurgence of the states
in terms of political power, institutional capacity, and policy responsibility. This course will
primarily focus upon the comparative study of state politics and policymaking. Comparative
analytical methods will be used to analyze political behavior, political institutions, and public
policy across the states.
Course Requirements
Attendance and active participation from each student are absolute requirements. Class
members are expected to attend all class meetings and come prepared to participate in an indepth and analytical discussion of the assigned readings and daily topics. University classes
work best and are the most interesting when there are lively and focused conversations among all
the participants.
To help foster class discussion you are required to bring to class at least one question and/or
observation from the readings assigned for that day. You are expected to raise your question or
share your observation during class. I will collect the questions at the end of each class. They
will be checked for relevancy and sophistication.
Midterm Exam. There will be a midterm exam on or about the date noted on the class schedule
below. The actual date is subject to change with at least one week’s notice. The exam will consist
of short answer and essay questions.
Research Paper. You are required to complete a research paper that is due on the last day of
class. I will provide some suggested research topics. You must have a paper topic approved
by me no later than March 3rd. Late papers will not be accepted.
Final Exam. A semi-comprehensive final examination will be given during the final exam
period. The Registrar has scheduled the final exam for this course for May 7, 7-10pm.
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The University Code of Academic Integrity (The Honor Code) is taken seriously in this
class. Violations or suspected violations will be reported to the proper authorities. Academic
dishonesty includes, but is not limited to both the giving and the receiving of improper assistance
on examinations and other graded work.
Plagiarism will be reported to the proper authorities and can affect your, academic standing in
this class and at Duke. Plagiarism is passing off someone else’s work as your own. Additionally
without expressed permission, you may not turn in the same piece of work (or part thereof) for
credit in multiple classes, either in the same semester or while at Duke in general. You are
responsible for familiarizing yourself with university policies regarding plagiarism and other
violations of academic integrity.
Final course grades will be based on: 1) Attendance and participation [10%]; 2) Midterm Exam
[30% each]; 3) Final Exam [30%]; 3) Research Paper [30%]
Texts
Each of these required texts are available for purchase at the university textbook store.
1) Gray, Virginia, and Russell L. Hanson. 2004. Politics in the American States: A
Comparative Analysis. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press.
2) Peterson, Paul E.1995. The Price of Federalism. Washington, D.C.: Brookings
Institution.
3) Conlan, Timothy J. 1998. From New Federalism to Devolution. Washington, D.C.:
Brookings Institution.
In addition to these texts, there are several required readings that are available via the library’s ejournal collection or the course Blackboard page. Readings should be read by the date they appear
on the syllabus.
Class Schedule and Reading Assignments:
Jan 13 Course Introduction
Jan 18 The State of Federalism and The State of the States
No Class Meeting in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. holiday
Zimmerman, Joseph F.1992. Contemporary American Federalism: The Growth of National
Power, Chpts. 2-3,pp.14-47 (on BlackBoard).
Jan 20
Hanson, Russell, “Intergovernmental Relations,” Chpt 2 in Gray and Hanson, Politics in the
American States.
Jan 25
Conlan, Timothy J. 1998. From New Federalism to Devolution, Chpts 1-5
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Jan 27
Conlan, Timothy J. 1998. From New Federalism to Devolution, Chpts 6-11
Feb 1
Conlan, Timothy J. 1998. From New Federalism to Devolution, Chpts 12-13
Feb 3
Gray, Viginia, “The Socioeconomic and Political Context of States,” Chpt. 1 in Gray and Hanson,
Politics in the American States.
Feb 8 Policy Variation and Policy Changes : Multiple Explanations
Ringquist, Evan J. and James C. Garand. 1999. “Policy Change in the American States,” in
Ronald Weber and Paul Brace eds., American State and Local Politics: Directions for the 21st
Century (on BlackBoard).
Feb 10 Political Culture
Johnson, Charles A.. 1976. "Political Culture in American States: Elazar's Formulation
Examined." American Journal of Political Science, vol. 20: 491-510.
Lowery, David and Lee Sigelman, 1982. "Political Culture and State Public Policy: The Missing
Link," Western Political Quarterly, Vol. 35: 376-84.
Journal of Political Science, vol. 46: 772-785.
Feb 15 Politics
Garand, James C. 1988. "Government Growth in the States: A Longitudinal Test of Competing
Explanations," American Political Science Review, vol. 82: 837-49.
Fellowes, Matthew C. and Gretchen Rowe. 2004. “Politics and the New American Welfare
States,” American Journal of Political Science, vol. 48:362-373.
Feb 17 Politics: A Comparative Perspective
Pablo, Pinto M. and Jeffrey Timmons. 2005. “The Political Determinants of Economic
Performance: Political Competition and the Sources of Growth,” Comparative Political Studies,
vol. 38: 26 – 50.
Feb 22 Race and Ethnicity
Morgan, David R., and Laura Ann Wilson. 1990. "Diversity in the American States: Updating the
Sullivan Index." Publius 20:71-81.
Hero, Rodney, and Caroline Tolbert. 1996. A Racial-Ethnic Diversity Interpretation of Politics
and Policy in the States of the U.S.,” American Journal of Political Science, vol. 40:851-71.
Feb 24
Haynie, Kerry L. 2001. “African American Political Incorporation: A View from the States,”
Chpt 4 in African American Legislators in the American States, pp.63-91 (on BlackBoard)
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Mar 1 Midterm Exam
Mar 3 Economic Regulation
Eshbaugh-Soha, Matthew and Kenneth Meier. 2004. “Economic and Social Regulation,” Chpt.14
in Gray and Hanson, Politics in the American States.
Mar 8 & 11
SPRING BREAK
Mar 15 Public Opinion and Public Policy
Lowery, David, Virginia Gray, and Gregory Hager. 1989. “Public Opinion and Policy Change in
the American States,” American Politics Research, vol. 17: 3-31.
Erikson, Robert, Gerald Wright, and John McIver. 1989. "Political Parties, Public Opinion, and
State Policy in the United States," American Political Science Review, vol. 83: 729-750
Mar 18 Interest Groups
Thomas, Clive, and Richard Hrebenar. 2004. “Interest Groups in the States,” Chpt 4 in Gray and
Hanson.
Jacoby, William, and Sandra Schneider. 2001. “Variability in State Policy Priorities: An
Empirical Analysis,” Journal of Politics, vol. 63:544-68
Mar 22 Political Parties
Bibby, John F. and Thomas M. Holbrook. 2004. “Parties and Elections,” Chpt 3 in Gray and
Hanson.
Dye, Thomas. 1984. "Party and Policy in the States," Journal of Politics, vol. 46: 1098-1116.
Garand, James C. 1985. "Partisan Change and Shifting Expenditure Priorities in the American
States, 1945-1978," American Politics Quarterly, vol. 13: 355-391.
Mar 24 Direct Democracy
Bowler, Shaun, and Todd Donovan. 2004. “The Initiative Process” Chpt 5 in Gray and Hanson.
Mar 29
Political Institutions and Public Policy
Governors and Policymaking
Beyle, Thad. 2004. “The Governors,” Chpt 7 in Gray and Hanson.
Barrilleaux, Charles, and Michael Berkman. 2003. “Do Governors Matter? Budgeting and the
Politics of State Policymaking.” Political Research Quarterly, vol. 56:409-17.
Mar 31 Legislatures
Hamm, Keith, and Gary Moncrief. 2004, “Legislative Politics in the States,” Chapt 6 in Gray and
Hanson.
Bratton, Kathleen A., and Kerry L. Haynie. 1999. "Agenda Setting & Legislative Success in State
Legislatures: The Effects of Gender & Race,” Journal of Politics, vol. 61: 658-679.
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Bratton, Kathleen A., Kerry L. Haynie, and Beth Reingold. 2006. “Agenda Setting and African
American Women in State Legislatures.” Journal of Women Politics and Policy, Vol 28:3/4.
Apr 5 State Courts
Glick, Henry. 2004. “Courts: Politics and the Judicial Process,” Chpt 8 in Gray and Hanson.
Apr 7 Policy Outputs
Fiscal Policy and Economic Policy
Garand, James and Kyle Baudoin, “Fiscal Policy in the American States,” Chpt.10 in Gray and
Hanson, Politics in the American States.
Apr 12 Health and Social Welfare
Rom, Mark Carl. 2004. “Transforming State Health and Welfare Programs,” Chpt 11 in Gray and
Hanson
Apr 14 Education Policy
Wong, Kenneth. 2004. “The Politics of Education,” Chpt 12 in Gray and Hanson.
Apr 19 The Price of Federalism
Peterson, Paul E.1995. The Price of Federalism, Chpts 1-4
Apr 21
Peterson, Paul E.1995. The Price of Federalism, Chpt 5-7.
Apr 26
Peterson, Paul E.1995. The Price of Federalism, Chpt 8
Conlan, Timothy J. 1998. From New Federalism to Devolution, Chpt 14
Apr 28
TBA
Final Exam: Friday, May 7, 7:00-10:00pm
RESEARCH RESOURCES
Specialized Periodicals
Publius is a scholarly periodical on federalism; it has an annual issue on the state of federalism.
Refereed.
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Governing, a monthly publication of CQ; journalistic.
State Politics and Policy Quarterly, the official journal of the APSA State Politics and Policy
Organized Section. Published by University of Illinois Press. Refereed.
Spectrum, a quarterly journal published by Council of State Governments; semi-scholarly.
State Government News, a monthly magazine published by Council of State Governments; for
practitioners.
Economic Development Quarterly, published by Sage, contains articles on economic
development by scholars and practitioners.
State and Local Government Review, a journal of research and viewpoints on state and local
government issues. Published at University of Georgia; refereed.
State Legislatures, monthly publication of National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), for
legislators.
Reference
Book of the States is an annual publication of Council of State Governments. Contains rankings
of states on every conceivable dimension.
"bluebook" is generic name for each state's government organization manual.
Barone, Almanac of American Politics, annual publication containing short political history,
election returns of states.
State Politics and Government, series published by University of Nebraska Press will include a
volume on every state.
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