Texas vs. California

Texas and California are the leaders of Red and Blue America. As the nation has polarized, its most populous and economically powerful states have taken charge of the opposing camps. These states now advance sharply contrasting political and policy agendas and view themselves as competitors for control of the nation's future. Kenneth P. Miller provides a detailed account of the rivalry's emergence, present state, and possible future. First, he explores why, despitetheir many similarities, the two states have become so deeply divided. As he shows, they experienced critical differences in their origins and in their later demographic, economic, cultural, and political development. Second, he describes how Texas and California have constructed opposing,comprehensive policy models—one conservative, the other progressive. Miller highlights the states' contrasting policies in five areas—tax, labor, energy and environment, poverty, and social issues—and also shows how Texas and California have led the red and blue state blocs in seeking to influence federal policy in these areas. The book concludes by assessing two models' strengths, vulnerabilities, and future prospects. The rivalry between the two states will likely continue for theforeseeable future, because California will surely stay blue and Texas will likely remain red. The challenge for the two states, and for the nation as a whole, is to view the competition in a positive light and turn it to productive ends. Exploring one of the primary rifts in American politics, Texas vs.California sheds light on virtually every aspect of the country's political system.

An impressive tome, Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates. Graduate students, faculty and professionals. General readers., An illuminating and highly informative account of why two Western states that share many similarities are so often at opposite ends of the cultural and political spectrum. A must read for any who are interested in the history and politics of the American West., Anambitious undertaking about two ambitious states, or'sibling rivals'— Texas vs. California is well-written, its thesis is expertly researched, and the result is a thought-provoking and engaging volume.

Kenneth P. Miller is Associate Professor of Government at Claremont McKenna College and Associate Director of the Rose Institute of State and Local Government. He is author of Direct Democracy and the Courts and co-editor of Parchment Barriers: Political Polarization and the Limits of Constitutional Order.