In general, after you finish reading and studying this chapter, you should understand the following:

• the history of state, local, and tribal governments
• the nature of power and politics at the community level
• the development of state constitutions
• the major institutions of state government
• types of local governments and the basis of their authority
• the budgeting process and finances at the state and local levels

Copyright © 1995-2010, Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman Legal and Privacy Terms