Brian Balogh Book order

How a woman-led citizens’ group beat a Southern political machine by enlisting federal bureaucrats and judges to protect their neighborhood from unchecked economic development

The Associational State argues that the relationship between state and civil society is fluid, and that the trajectory of American politics is not driven by ideological difference but by the ability to achieve public ends through partnerships forged between the state and voluntary organizations.

The book explores the evolving relationship between Americans and their national government during the nineteenth century, challenging traditional perceptions. It examines how citizens increasingly relied on federal authority and highlights the complexities of this interaction, shedding light on the shifting dynamics of governance and public expectation during this transformative period in American history.