After a brief overview of responsiveness in government, this book discusses citizen participation in State and local politics and how well-intentioned reformers actually increased the insulation of State and local governments from their constituents. Sustained activity on behalf of interest groups and lobbying as the dominant mode of communication…

Data for this analysis of school district governance were gathered in lengthy interviews with 490 school board members and 82 school superintendents from a sample of 83 school districts. In addition, briefer interviews were conducted with 91 board members and 12 superintendents from districts in the 13 largest metropolitan areas. The study…