Citizen Lobbyists

"Adams' work makes an important and accessible contribution to understanding participation by providing a comprehensive analysis of citizen involvement in local policy processes in Santa Ana, California(.)... This book helps to advance knowledge of participation. Explaining patterns of participation by examining the characteristics of the policies in which citizens become involved is extremely unique and insightful; questions concerning who participates remain common in this field. The in-depth nature of the study--especially its theoretical grounding, the provision of methodological rationales, and the successful integration of both quantitative and qualitative data--is an extremely positive quality. Adams attention to common themes and their exceptions makes the complexity of participation come to life.... (T)he book does make a considerable contribution to understanding participation and has the potential to enhance efforts to improve participatory policy analysis." —The Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare

"This book is a valuable contribution to the literature on grassroots politics in American communities.... In his focus on the issues that prompt participation and on the nature of the citizen lobbying responses that result, Brian Adams plows new ground in the study of citizen activism. Citizen Lobbyists is a worthwhile read." —Urban Affairs Review