This volume provides an authoritative synthesis of all the important empirical studies of policy-making in the American states, as well as an evaluation of the systems model which has guided most of the research. The author describes those policy areas which are the main responsibilities of the national, state, and local levels of government, and defines the principal concepts associated with state policymaking research. He also explores in detail the various linkages among the political environment, the political system, and policy outputs, and attempts to determine the relative influence of the variables in policymaking. In addition, he summarizes what is known about state policymaking as a result of the empirical analyses carried out during the last two decades.