A new book by Boise State University professor and political pundit James Weatherby and political analyst Randy Stapilus summarizes the nature of Idaho’s government and public affairs. Governing Idaho: Politics, People and Power is published by Caxton Press and is available for $16.95 in local bookstores or online at www.caxtonpress.com. 

The book is a study of the history, geography and demographics that are the basis of modern-day Idaho government and politics. From its earliest days, Idaho residents have been divided along regional lines in regard to philosophy and expectations. Governing Idaho examines how those differences stack up and identifies the prominent players — both in government and industry — that helped shape those views.

“Idaho was one of the last states to be settled,” said Stapilus. “It was a place people hurried through to get somewhere else. We were noted more for our geographic obstacles, so settling in Idaho took special efforts.”

These efforts, such as reclamation projects to provide water to desert farmers, helped Idaho blossom. Despite that assistance, there are still deep-seated anti-government feelings in most areas of the state.

“We’re slow to change either way, to the left or to the right,” Weatherby said. “Our traditional conservative orientation favors incremental change over radical change.”

The authors also analyze how Idaho’s many homespun businesses, such as Albertson’s, Morrison-Knudsen, Boise Cascade and Micron, have influenced policy makers to a much greater extent than many neighboring states, and how Idaho’s political culture has evolved historically.

“There isn’t anything else out there like this book,” Stapilus said about Governing Idaho. “It gives you more of a historical perspective than you can find in any general overview of the state.”

Weatherby is associate professor and director of the Public Policy Center and the Social Science Research Center at Boise State. He is co-author of The Urban West: Managing Growth and Decline. Stapilus has been a journalist, political analyst and author in Idaho since 1974. He is the author of several books, including Paradox Politics.

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Contact: James Weatherby, Department of Public Policy and Administration, (208) 426-4018, jweathe@boisesetate.edu

Media Contact: Kathleen Craven, University Relations, (208) 426-3275, kcraven@boisestate.edu

Online at: http://news.boisestate.edu