New Jersey Politics and Government

New Jersey, despite being the third state to enter the Union, has only recently had a genuine statewide politics or policy agenda. Overshadowed by neighboring New York and Pennsylvania and with the strong local orientation of most of its citizens, New Jersey had little reason or ability to develop vigorous state institutions. New Jersey Politics and Government shows how this situation changed radically in the second half of the twentieth century in response to problems of education, economic development, government finance, land use, transportation, and environmental quality. New Jersey's historically weak state government has adopted a more activist posture, and its strong tradition of home rule has given way to a more cosmopolitan orientation. Barbara G. Salmore and Stephen A. Salmore point out that many of these changes in New Jersey's politics reflect the growing suburbanization of the United State. With the majority of voters living in the suburbs for the first time, government institutions at all levels are adapting to the politics of a new "suburban century." As the most suburban of all the states, New Jersey politics and governmental institutions are responding in ways likely to be seen in other states. This book, offering the only comprehensive study of politics and government in New Jersey, is of special interest to those studying how our political institutions respond to social changes as well as to those interested in political developments in the American states.