“Too often elected officials and administrators operate in a 'small picture world' working to solve problems incrementally on a short-term basis devoid of the broader 'big picture' aspects of the policy process. Using the bellwether state of Florida as a case study, Arrington and Marlowe demonstrate that the problems facing Florida and the nation as a whole are systemic and deeply rooted in culture and history.  Drawing upon their extensive governmental experience, they weave theory and 'best practices' together in crafting the outline of a role of governance equal to the task of forging sustainable solutions to the massive public problems of the present.”—T. Wayne Bailey / Professor of Political Science / Stetson University

"Just in time to save us from ourselves, Larry Arrington and Herb Marlowe have given us a roadmap…and a few dire predictions for a state that is running amok. If only our future governors and legislators would read it and respond.''—Lucy Morgan, St. Petersburg Times, Tallahassee Bureau Chief (Ret)

About the Book:

Justice Louis Brandeis in the midst of the Great Depression wisely labeled states and the local communities that comprise them “laboratories of democracy.”  This book takes us inside these laboratories using the “bellwether” state of Florida as a case study, and views governance through the lens of the theory of sustainability.  The result is a revealing look at how American politics and governance are playing out “on the ground” as the state struggles with the “mega-trends” facing the United States and the developed world. 

The authors’ core argument is that the ambition to develop a “sustainable society” will fail unless the processes of governance are capable of producing sustainable results.  The lodestar of governance must become the over-arching goal of sustainability:  meeting the environmental, social and economic needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Sustainability requires that arch-conservative ideology give way to reliance on democratic decision-making grounded in practicality and necessity.  A sense of community identity and civic responsibility must be rekindled.

Sustainable governance—given Florida’s diversity and complexity—requires a decentralized approach balancing the economic, environmental and social interests of whole regions.  New governance arrangements and practices that implement innovative public policies are necessitated.  Transformative public leadership aligned with the needs, aspirations and values of citizens—not narrow special interests—must be exercised. 

About the Authors:

Lawrence Arrington is a former County Manager of Volusia County, Florida. He received his Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in political science from Stetson University. Herbert Marlowe is a former member of the research faculty at the University of Florida, where he received his undergraduate and doctorate degrees. Together they provide consulting services to public, non-profit, and private sector clients throughout Florida.  Go to:  http://www.arringtonmarlowe.com