A leading authority on state legal issues he combines history law and political science to present a thorough and long needed account of the distinct and important role of state constitutions in american life tarr shows that state constitutional politics are dominated by three crucial issues with little salience at the national level the distribution of power among groups and regions . Up to 90 off textbooks at amazon canada plus free two day shipping for six months when you sign up for amazon prime for students. Tarr shows that state constitutional politics are dominated by three crucial issues with little salience at the national level the distribution of power among groups and regions within states the scope of state and local governmental authority and the relation of the state to economic activity. Pfor many americans the word constitution means just one thing the national constitution according to a recent survey almost half do not know that individual states also have constitutions scholars have also paid little attention to state constitutions favoring the apparently more dynamic and significant federal scene g alan tarr seeks to change that in this landmark book a . Understanding state constitutions book description for many americans the word constitution means just one thing the national constitution according to a recent survey almost half do not know that individual states also have constitutions scholars have also paid little attention to state constitutions favoring the apparently more dynamic and significant federal scene g alan tarr