Government and Politics in Florida

An authoritative resource on state and local government and political processes in Florida, ideal for students and useful for researchers, professionals, and citizens

For more than 35 years, Government and Politics in Florida has offered authoritative information on the operations of government and nuances of politics in the Sunshine State. Published in three previous editions (1991, 1998, and 2008), the book has consistently featured contributions by Florida’s most well-known and respected political scientists.

In this fourth edition, editor Edwin Benton emphasizes change as a defining characteristic of the state in recent decades, bringing together a group of leading contemporary scholars to provide an updated overview of current state and local government and politics. The chapters in this book include discussions of changes and events since the publication of the third edition, such as the state’s recent population growth, increasing racial and ethnic diversity, presidential and midterm elections, the COVID-19 pandemic, recessions and inflation, healthcare policy, and rising political polarization.

From the executive branch to the legislature, from the court system to political parties, this book serves as an ideal introductory text for courses on Florida government. It is also a valuable resource for those who work or volunteer in Florida politics, or for residents interested in learning about the political processes and institutions of their state.