The Politics of Massachusetts Exceptionalism: Reputation Meets Reality
Are claims of Massachusetts’s special and instructive place in American history and politics justified? Alternately described as a “city upon a hill” and “an organized system of hatreds,” Massachusetts politics has indisputably exerted an outsized pull on the national stage. The Commonwealth’s leaders often argue for the state’s distinct position within the union, citing its proud abolitionist history and its status as a policy leader on health care, gay marriage, and transgender rights, not to mention its fertile soil for budding national politicians. Detractors point to the state’s busing crisis, sky high levels of economic inequality, and mixed support for undocumented immigrants.

The Politics of Massachusetts Exceptionalism tackles these tensions, offering a collection of essays from public policy experts that address the state’s noteworthy contributions to the nation’s political history. This is a much-needed volume for Massachusetts policymakers, journalists, and community leaders, as well as those learning about political power at the state level, inside and outside of the classroom. Contributors include the editors as well as Maurice T. Cunningham, Lawrence Friedman, Shannon Jenkins, Luis F. Jiménez, and Peter Ubertaccio.  

1140214640
The Politics of Massachusetts Exceptionalism: Reputation Meets Reality
Are claims of Massachusetts’s special and instructive place in American history and politics justified? Alternately described as a “city upon a hill” and “an organized system of hatreds,” Massachusetts politics has indisputably exerted an outsized pull on the national stage. The Commonwealth’s leaders often argue for the state’s distinct position within the union, citing its proud abolitionist history and its status as a policy leader on health care, gay marriage, and transgender rights, not to mention its fertile soil for budding national politicians. Detractors point to the state’s busing crisis, sky high levels of economic inequality, and mixed support for undocumented immigrants.

The Politics of Massachusetts Exceptionalism tackles these tensions, offering a collection of essays from public policy experts that address the state’s noteworthy contributions to the nation’s political history. This is a much-needed volume for Massachusetts policymakers, journalists, and community leaders, as well as those learning about political power at the state level, inside and outside of the classroom. Contributors include the editors as well as Maurice T. Cunningham, Lawrence Friedman, Shannon Jenkins, Luis F. Jiménez, and Peter Ubertaccio.  

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The Politics of Massachusetts Exceptionalism: Reputation Meets Reality

The Politics of Massachusetts Exceptionalism: Reputation Meets Reality

The Politics of Massachusetts Exceptionalism: Reputation Meets Reality
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The Politics of Massachusetts Exceptionalism: Reputation Meets Reality

The Politics of Massachusetts Exceptionalism: Reputation Meets Reality

Overview

Are claims of Massachusetts’s special and instructive place in American history and politics justified? Alternately described as a “city upon a hill” and “an organized system of hatreds,” Massachusetts politics has indisputably exerted an outsized pull on the national stage. The Commonwealth’s leaders often argue for the state’s distinct position within the union, citing its proud abolitionist history and its status as a policy leader on health care, gay marriage, and transgender rights, not to mention its fertile soil for budding national politicians. Detractors point to the state’s busing crisis, sky high levels of economic inequality, and mixed support for undocumented immigrants.

The Politics of Massachusetts Exceptionalism tackles these tensions, offering a collection of essays from public policy experts that address the state’s noteworthy contributions to the nation’s political history. This is a much-needed volume for Massachusetts policymakers, journalists, and community leaders, as well as those learning about political power at the state level, inside and outside of the classroom. Contributors include the editors as well as Maurice T. Cunningham, Lawrence Friedman, Shannon Jenkins, Luis F. Jiménez, and Peter Ubertaccio.  

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781625346674
Publisher: University of Massachusetts Press
Publication date: 05/17/2022
Pages: 352
Sales rank: 1,128,663
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

JEROLD DUQUETTE is associate professor of political science at Central Connecticut State University.

ERIN O’BRIEN is associate professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction: Massachusetts Exceptionalism as Identity and Debate Jerold Duquette Erin O'Brien 1

Part I Exceptionalism in Political Context 17

Chapter 1 Massachusetts Politics Context and Culture Erin O'Brien 19

Chapter 2 Local Government and Regional Politics Shannon Jenkins 45

Chapter 3 Massachusetts on the National Stage Peter Ubertaccio 66

Part II Institutions 93

Chapter 4 The Massachusetts General Court Exceptionally Old-School Shannon Jenkins 95

Chapter 5 The Governor of the Commonwealth A "Not So" Supreme Executive Magistrate Jerold Duquette 116

Chapter 6 The Courts and the Constitution Exceptionally Enduring Lawrence Friedman 143

Part III Organizations and Paths to Influence 163

Chapter 7 Political Parties and Elections Maurice T. Cunningham Peter Ubertaccio 165

Chapter 8 Voter Access in Massachusetts From Laggard to Leader Erin O'Brien 187

Chapter 9 The Massachusetts Initiative and Referendum Process Jerold Duquette Maurice T. Cunningham 210

Part IV Diversity in Massachusetts Politics 231

Chapter 10 Latinx in Massachusetts Politics Luis F. Jiménez 233

Chapter 11 Women, Women of Color in Massachusetts Politics Not So Exceptional Erin O'Brien 254

Conclusion: Massachusetts Politics Exceptional? It's Complicated Jerold Duquette Erin O'Brien 282

Contributors 289

Index 293

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