The New York Times asked six prominent writers and scholars why New Jersey is so corrupt. Answers: It has too many small local governmental units. Squeezed between NYC and Phila, Trenton doesn't get proper news coverage. Tradition. A broken party system. Arrogant officials. A lack of outrage among voters.
The Soprano State: New Jersey's Culture of Corruption
is one of my favorite books on New Jersey corruption. Writen by two local reporters, it gives the lowdown on the scandals in our state. It could have used a chapter that brought it all together and make some generalizations. But it gives you all the dirt on McGreevey and his lovers, and it has some really smart stuff on the bosses that still run Jersey politics.