The Sagebrush State, 7th Edition: Nevada's History, Government, and Politics

by Michael W. Bowers, David F. Damore

Overview

A dynamic study of Nevada’s government and politics from the state’s inception to the present day.

Starting with Michael W. Bowers’s first edition published in 1996, this concise volume explains the unique dynamics of Nevada’s formation and its political and economic development. David F. Damore continues this legacy in the book’s seventh edition by describing how even today, Nevada is unlike the other states in its politics and culture: economically conservative and averse to strong state government, yet socially libertarian and home to widespread gaming anchored by a 24/7 industry. Nevada has the highest percentage of federally owned lands and one of the highest rates of urbanization in the United States, yet it has often been dominated by rural legislators.

This comprehensive and insightful volume examines how Nevada’s history and founding have shaped its political culture and how its government operates today. The Sagebrush State serves as a highly readable and accessible text for the study of Nevada’s political history and constitution. The seventh edition is updated through 2023 and includes the results of the 2022 elections, policies advanced during the 2023 legislative session, and Nevada’s continuing recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 recession. The full text of the state constitution with extensive annotations of all amendments to the original 1864 document is provided as an appendix.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781647791513
Publisher:	University of Nevada Press
Publication date:	05/30/2025
Series:	Shepperson Series in Nevada History
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	189
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

David F. Damore is an author and professor of political science and the Lincy presidential chair at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he serves as the executive director of The Lincy Institute and Brookings Mountain West.

The late Michael W. Bowers was professor of political science and public law, and former senior vice provost for academic affairs and executive vice president and provost, at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He published the first edition of The Sagebrush State in 1996.

Table of Contents

Contents Illustrations and Tables Preface to the Seventh Edition Preface to the First Edition Chapter 1. Nevada—Origins and Early History Chapter 2. Nevada Territory and Statehood Chapter 3. Civil Rights and Liberties in Nevada Chapter 4. Political Parties and Elections Chapter 5. Interest Groups and Lobbying Chapter 6. The Nevada Legislature Chapter 7. The Nevada Executive Chapter 8. The Nevada Judiciary Chapter 9. City and County Governments Chapter 10. State and Local Finance Chapter 11. Nevada—Past, Present, and Future Appendix. The Constitution of the State of Nevada Notes Selected Bibliography Index About the Authors