The State of Rhode Island: Politics and Government

Maureen Moakley & Emily Lynch

Over the past twenty years, the politics and the political culture of Rhode Island have changed significantly, and this book is designed to provide a comprehensive update on the always fascinating story of politics and government in the Ocean State. The authors recount the multiple factors that have strengthened our commitment to more efficiency, equity, and transparency as politics continue to shift in ways that appear to be less individualistic and more collaborative. It also casts a critical eye on the myriad challenges ahead as the state faces an increasingly diverse electorate, the demands of economic development, more voices in the public square, the proliferation of interest groups, and national political trends. Given these shifts and the constant balancing act of state-local relations, how interest group politics, the norm in any representative democracy, plays out in Rhode Island will define the future of politics of the state.

We are fortunate to have scholars and experts at universities and organizations across the Ocean State who provide an engaging analysis of the current issues in a series of chapters and essays about the political institutions, public policy, and political behavior in Rhode Island. The State of Rhode Island: Politics and Government is meant for a wide audience, including students, political actors, and interested general readers in this tiny state with big possibilities.