Bushmanders & Bullwinkles

Bushmanders & Bullwinkles
Author: Mark Monmonier
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Total Pages: 221
Release: 2001-02-15
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 022615940X

For years Mark Monmonier, "a prose stylist of no mean ability or charm" according to the Washington Post, has delighted readers with his insightful understanding of cartography as an art and technology that is both deceptive and revealing. Now he turns his focus to the story of political cartography and the redrawing of congressional districts. His title Bushmanders and Bullwinkles combines gerrymander with the surname of the president who actively tolerated racial gerrymandering and draws attention to the ridiculously shaped congressional districts that evoke the antlers of the moose who shared the cartoon spotlight with Rocky the Flying Squirrel. Written from the perspective of a cartographer rather than a political scientist, Bushmanders and Bullwinkles examines the political tales maps tell when votes and power are at stake. Monmonier shows how redistricting committees carve out favorable election districts for themselves and their allies; how disgruntled politicians use shape to challenge alleged racial gerrymanders; and how geographic information systems can make reapportionment a controversial process with outrageous products. He also explores controversies over the proper roles of natural boundaries, media maps, census enumeration, and ethnic identity. Raising important questions about Supreme Court decisions in regulating redistricting, Monmonier asks if the focus on form rather than function may be little more than a distraction from larger issues like election reform. Characterized by the same wit and clarity as Monmonier's previous books, Bushmanders and Bullwinkles is essential background for understanding what might prove the most contentious political debate of the new decade.

Legislative Calendar

Legislative Calendar
Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Post Office and Civil Service
Publisher:
Total Pages: 860
Release: 1994
Genre: Civil service
ISBN:

Evaluating Welfare Reform in an Era of Transition

Evaluating Welfare Reform in an Era of Transition
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 268
Release: 2001-09-10
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0309072743

Reform of welfare is one of the nation's most contentious issues, with debate often driven more by politics than by facts and careful analysis. Evaluating Welfare Reform in an Era of Transition identifies the key policy questions for measuring whether our changing social welfare programs are working, reviews the available studies and research, and recommends the most effective ways to answer those questions. This book discusses the development of welfare policy, including the landmark 1996 federal law that devolved most of the responsibility for welfare policies and their implementation to the states. A thorough analysis of the available research leads to the identification of gaps in what is currently known about the effects of welfare reform. Evaluating Welfare Reform in an Era of Transition specifies what-and why-we need to know about the response of individual states to the federal overhaul of welfare and the effects of the many changes in the nation's welfare laws, policies, and practices. With a clear approach to a variety of issues, Evaluating Welfare Reform in an Era of Transition will be important to policy makers, welfare administrators, researchers, journalists, and advocates on all sides of the issue.

Guide to U.S. Government Statistics

Guide to U.S. Government Statistics
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 1400
Release: 1998
Genre: Government publications
ISBN:

A directory of U.S. government statistics publications by issuing agency. Entries include GPO stock number, LC and Dewey classification, OCLC and ISSN numbers, and sometimes a description. Includes geographic index.