Jonah Patel
Ann O'M Bowman, a professor at Texas A&M University, and Richard Kearney, a retired professor from North Carolina State University, co-authored the book State and Local Government: The Essentials. In it, they describe the Model State Constitution as an ideal of the structure and contents of a state constitution that emphasises brevity and broad functions and responsibilities of government. The Model State Constitution was first developed in 1921 by the National Municipal League (now the National Civic League) to advocate for constitutional reform based on a higher-law tradition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Structure | Emphasizes brevity |
| Contents | Broad functions and responsibilities of the government |
| A force for good in society | |
| Addresses critics | |
| Covers current events | |
| Accessible writing style | |
| Fosters interest and involvement in state and local politics, policy, and public service | |
| Constitutionalism |
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What You'll Learn
The Model State Constitution's history
According to Ann O'M Bowman and Richard Kearney, the Model State Constitution is "an ideal of the structure and contents of a state constitution that emphasizes brevity and broad functions and responsibilities of government." The National Municipal League (now the National Civic League) first developed the Model State Constitution in 1921 to advocate for constitutional reform based on a "higher-law tradition." This tradition emphasizes basic and enduring principles that transcend statutory law, in contrast to the "Positive Law Tradition," which focuses on detailed provisions and procedures.
The National Municipal League's project aimed to develop a model state constitution that embodied the idea that government powers should be legally limited and subject to the limitations of a higher law. This concept, known as constitutionalism, asserts the desirability of the rule of law over arbitrary judgment by public officials. It also emphasizes the legitimacy of government authority, derived from fundamental law, and the protection of the interests and liberties of all citizens, including minorities.
Bowman, a professor at Texas A&M University, and Kearney, a retired professor of political science and public administration, co-authored the book "State and Local Government: The Essentials." This book provides a concise and positive overview of state and local governments, fostering interest and involvement in state and local politics, policy, and public service.
The National Municipal League revised the Model State Constitution five times, with the sixth and final version published in 1963. This version promotes a simplistic, concise, and flexible outline for state fundamental law rather than partisan ideals or a specific political ideology. The Constitution of Alaska was partially inspired by the Model State Constitution.
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Ann O'M Bowman's credentials
Ann O'M. Bowman is a professor and holds the Hazel Davis and Robert Kennedy Endowed Chair in the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. She joined the Bush School faculty in 2008, moving from the University of South Carolina, where she was the James F. and Maude B. Byrnes Professor of Government. She received her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Florida.
Dr. Bowman's specialties include state and local politics and management, intergovernmental relations, and public policy, with a focus on the environment, economic development, and land use. She has published numerous books and articles on these topics, including "State and Local Government: The Essentials," co-authored with Richard C. Kearney, and "American Governance and Public Policy," co-authored with Michael A. Pagano. Her research interests revolve around institutional change, policy adoption and implementation, and intergovernmental dynamics.
Dr. Bowman is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and a Past President of the Southern Political Science Association. She has held a Lincoln Government Fellowship at the National League of Cities in Washington, DC, and received a Fulbright award to Denmark as the Odense Distinguished Chair in American Studies. She has also won several prestigious awards, including the Donald C. Stone Award for Research and the Daniel Elazar Distinguished Scholar Award.
In addition to her academic achievements, Dr. Bowman has served as President of three organized sections of the American Political Science Association (APSA): Public Policy, Urban Politics, and Federalism/Intergovernmental Relations. She has also contributed to various scholarly journals as an editor and reviewer, including the Journal of Politics, Urban Affairs Review, Public Administration Review, and Publius: The Journal of Federalism.
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The book's key messages
Ann O'M Bowman, a professor at Texas A&M University, and Richard Kearney, a retired professor of political science and public administration, co-authored the book "State and Local Government: The Essentials". In it, they describe the Model State Constitution as "an ideal of the structure and contents of a state constitution that emphasises brevity and broad functions and responsibilities of government".
The book takes a positive view of state and local governments, promoting the idea that governments can be a force for good in society. It addresses critics and engages with current events, fostering interest and involvement in state and local politics, policy, and public service. The text is designed to be accessible to a wide audience and encourages active participation in the political process.
The Model State Constitution was first developed by the National Municipal League (now the National Civic League) in 1921. The League advocated for constitutional reform based on a "higher-law tradition", which emphasises basic and enduring principles over detailed provisions and procedures. The Model State Constitution has been revised several times, with the latest version published in 1963. It does not promote any particular political ideology but rather a simplistic, concise, and flexible outline for state fundamental law.
The concept of constitutionalism, deeply embedded in historical experience, is central to the idea of the Model State Constitution. Constitutionalism refers to the belief that government powers should be limited by a constitution and that the authority of the government is derived from and limited by a body of fundamental law. This body of fundamental law, or the constitution, serves as a set of rules and mechanisms to control power and protect the interests and liberties of citizens, including those in the minority.
Overall, the key messages of the book "State and Local Government: The Essentials" are to present a positive view of government, encourage active participation in the political process, and emphasise the importance of constitutionalism and the Model State Constitution as a framework for effective and accountable governance.
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The book's style and tone
Ann O'M Bowman, a professor at Texas A&M University, and Richard Kearney, a retired professor of political science and public administration, co-authored the book "State and Local Government: The Essentials". The book takes a positive and concise look at state and local governments, arguing that governments can be a force for good in society. It addresses critics and engages with current events, fostering interest and involvement in state and local politics, policy, and public service.
The book's style is described as accessible, employing an engaging coverage of current events to encourage readers to explore the topics further. The sixth edition of the book is a streamlined version of its full-length counterpart, focusing on brevity without compromising on content. This edition is designed to be a concise and readable outline of fundamental state law, reflecting the authors' interest in institutional change, policy adoption, and implementation.
The tone of the book is optimistic and encouraging, presenting government in a positive light and emphasising its potential for positive societal impact. It takes a non-partisan approach, refraining from promoting specific partisan ideals or political ideologies. Instead, it focuses on the broader functions and responsibilities of government, advocating for constitutional reform based on enduring principles.
The book's language is clear and succinct, ensuring that complex concepts are presented in a straightforward and understandable manner. This clarity of expression is reflected in the book's structure, which is well-organised and concise, covering a range of topics in a streamlined fashion. The authors' extensive academic backgrounds and research interests in state and local politics, policy, and intergovernmental relations lend credibility to the content and style of the book.
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The book's critical reception
Ann O'M. Bowman, a professor at Texas A&M University, and Richard Kearney, a retired professor of political science and public administration, co-authored the book "State and Local Government: The Essentials." This book provides a concise and positive perspective on state and local governments, emphasizing the potential for government to positively impact society.
The book has received positive reviews for its accessible writing style and engaging coverage of current events, fostering interest in state and local politics, policy, and public service. It offers a streamlined approach, making it more manageable than its full-length counterpart, "State and Local Government."
One review highlights the book's ability to clearly and succinctly present the idea that government can be a force for good while also addressing critics. The text covers current events, making it relevant and engaging for readers interested in state and local politics.
Another review mentions the book's timely arrival and accuracy in describing its content. However, the reviewer also mentions ordering the wrong edition, receiving the instructor's edition, which is unusable for their class.
Overall, "State and Local Government: The Essentials" by Bowman and Kearney appears to have been well-received for its accessibility, relevance, and ability to present a positive view of government while addressing critical perspectives.
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Frequently asked questions
Ann O'M Bowman and Richard Kearney describe the Model State Constitution as "an ideal of the structure and contents of a state constitution that emphasises brevity and broad functions and responsibilities of government."
The Model State Constitution was first developed by the National Municipal League (now the National Civic League) in 1921. It advocates for constitutional reform based on a "higher-law tradition" and does not promote partisan ideals or a particular political ideology.
Ann O'M Bowman is a professor at Texas A&M University, where she teaches courses in state and local politics and policy, intergovernmental relations, environmental policy and management, and public policy processes. Richard Kearney retired as a professor of political science and public administration at North Carolina State University. Together, they authored the book "State and Local Government: The Essentials," which provides a concise and positive overview of state and local governments, fostering interest in state and local politics.
