Ap>The Commonwealth: A History of the Government and Politics of Virginia offers a broad historical examination of the history, government, and politics of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Intended as the primary text for a course in Virginia government and politics, it provides a broad picture of the state and local system of government in Virginia in the context of the dual federalism that has been the model for American democracy since its founding. Author Catherine Banks, a professor at Virginia's Old Dominion University, has created a text intended to stimulate in students a desire to understand, explore, and apply contemporary world and national politics to their local political environments. It is well-suited to students majoring in political science, international studies, and history, but business majors and instructors may also find it useful as a study of the economic side of the Commonwealth's political structure. The book discusses the history of Virginia's government and politics in a chronological and methodical format. The text is divided into four parts: Part One, "Virginia: Leader of the New World," discusses early American history with an emphasis on the role of the Virginia colonies. Part Two, "Institutions of Government,"introduces the history, composition, and function of the General Assembly, the governorship, and the judiciary. Part Three, "Local Governments, Inter- and Intra-Governmental Relations, and Budgeting," discusses the structure of the various local governments; the relationships between (a) the state and federal governments and (b) state and local governments; and budgets and funds transfers at the state-local level and the federal-state level. Part Four, "The Commonwealth and the American Experience," looks at the political machine in the Commonwealth, ending with the challenges and opportunities facing Virginia in the 21st century. The Commonwealth chronicles the gradual progress and evolution of Virginia, challenging the reader along the way to consider how the state's past is shaping current and future debates over policy and governance. Features chapter plates and appendices of collected data, including: political figures of the Commonwealth maps displaying Virginia's population density and its cities and counties government documents such as the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, the federal and state constitutions, and charters from all levels of local government "Important Dates" list in each chapter key terms highlighted and defined in context or as a special note charts, documents, and tables incorporated throughout the text