Texas Politics and Government: Ideas, Institutions, and Policies

by Haag, Stephen; Keith, Gary A.; Peebles, Rex C.

• ISBN13: 9780321052742
• ISBN10: 0321052749
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-08-01
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley

Summary

Texas Politics and Government provides a coherent, analytical introduction to Texas politics that is both comprehensive and engaging. Framing the book around five ideas that have shaped Texas politics past and present, the authors explain how conflicts over these ideas have altered political processes, institutions, and public policies in Texas. The unique coverage of topics is supported by lively and fresh discussions that capture students' interest and provide them with the conceptual tools they need to enrich their understanding of politics and government in Texas. Additionally, the authors' involvement in Texas politics gives students an insider's view of their state and local government.

Table of Contents

Preface	xiii
PART ONE The Context for Texas Politics and Government
Studying Texas Politics and Government	1	(24)
Scenario: The Government Requirement for College Students	1	(2)
Introduction	3	(1)
Politics and Government	4	(1)
Texas Index: Measures of Democracy in the States	5	(1)
The Central Role of Ideas: The American Creed	6	(1)
Analyzing Politics	7	(2)
Individualism	8	(1)
Liberty	8	(1)
Equality	9	(1)
Analyzing Government	9	(6)
Democracy	10	(5)
Constitutionalism	15	(1)
Analyzing Political Change	15	(6)
The Ideal-Reality Gap	17	(1)
Responses to the Ideal-Reality Gap	17	(4)
The Rest of the Story	21	(4)
The Ideological and Socioeconomic Context for Texas Politics and Government	25	(32)
Scenario: The Professor and Affirmative Action	25	(2)
Introduction	27	(1)
Texas Index: The Socioeconomic Context in the States	28	(1)
The Ideological Context	28	(11)
Ideas and Texas Politics: The Texan Creed	28	(5)
The Acquisition of Political Ideas	33	(2)
The Texan Creed and Political Ideology	35	(4)
The Peoples of Texas	39	(10)
Native Americans	40	(3)
Hispanics	43	(1)
African Americans	44	(1)
Asian Americans	45	(1)
Anglos	45	(1)
The Contemporary Population of Texas	46	(3)
The Economy of Texas	49	(8)
Cotton	49	(1)
Cattle	49	(1)
Petroleum	50	(1)
The Contemporary Economy	51	(6)
The Legal Context: The Constitution and Federalism	57	(36)
Scenario: A New Constitution for Texas	57	(2)
Introduction	59	(1)
Texas Index: Constitutions and Federalism in the States	60	(1)
The Texas Constitution	61	(23)
The Purposes of a Constitution	61	(3)
History of Texas Constitutions	64	(12)
Constitutional Revision	76	(6)
The 1876 Constitution---Good or Bad?	82	(1)
The Constitution and Political Change	83	(1)
The Constitution and Democracy	84	(1)
Federalism	84	(9)
Types of Government	85	(1)
The Evolution of Federalism	86	(3)
Federalism and Political Change	89	(1)
Federalism and Democracy	89	(4)
PART TWO The Processes of Texas Politics
Political Parties in Texas	93	(34)
Scenario: The Challenge to Democratic Party Dominance in a Time of Transition	93	(3)
Introduction	96	(1)
Texas Index: Political Parties in the States	97	(1)
Political Party Organization	98	(11)
Formal Organization	98	(3)
Functional Organization	101	(8)
Party in the Electorate	109	(5)
Distribution of Party Attachments	110	(1)
Party Coalitions: Social and Geographic Distribution	110	(4)
The Party in Government	114	(3)
In the Executive Branch	114	(1)
In the Legislative Branch	115	(1)
In the Judicial Branch	116	(1)
Parties and Political Change	117	(5)
Parties and Democracy	122	(5)
Interest Groups in Texas	127	(28)
Scenario: Battle of the Titans	127	(2)
Introduction	129	(1)
Texas Index: Interest Groups in the States	129	(1)
The Creation of Interest Groups	130	(2)
Disturbance Theory	130	(1)
Entrepreneurial Theory	131	(1)
Members of Groups: Joining and Staying	132	(1)
Benefits of Group Membership	132	(1)
Collective Benefits and the Free-Rider Problem	132	(1)
Goals of Groups: Why Groups Are Involved in Politics	133	(2)
Primary Goals	133	(1)
Secondary Goals	134	(1)
Types of Interest Groups	135	(3)
Business Groups and Trade Associations	135	(1)
Professional Associations	135	(1)
Labor Groups	135	(1)
Racial and Ethnic Groups	136	(1)
Public Interest Groups	136	(2)
Interest-Group Influence	138	(1)
Political Activities of Groups	138	(11)
Lobbying	139	(7)
Electioneering	146	(2)
Litigation	148	(1)
Interest Groups and Political Change	149	(1)
Interest Groups and Democracy	149	(6)
Political Communications: The Media and Public Opinion	155	(30)
Scenario: Framing the Campaign---Does the Governor Really Want Her Job?	155	(2)
Introduction	157	(1)
The Political Roles of the Media	157	(1)
Texas Index: Print and Broadcast Media in the States	158	(2)
Factors Shaping the News	160	(3)
What Is News?	160	(1)
News People and Their Values	161	(1)
The Economics of the News	162	(1)
The Media in Texas	163	(5)
Television	164	(2)
Newspapers	166	(1)
Radio	167	(1)
Magazines	167	(1)
Internet	168	(1)
The Political Effects of the Media	168	(7)
What People Think About	169	(1)
What People Think	170	(2)
How people Think	172	(2)
How People Feel	174	(1)
Public Opinion	175	(4)
The Measurement of Public Opinion	175	(2)
Public Opinion in Texas	177	(2)
The Media, Public Opinion, and Political Change	179	(1)
The Media, Public Opinion, and Democracy	179	(6)
Political Participation, Campaigns, and Elections	185	(36)
Scenario: The Sharp-Perry Lieutenant Governor's Race of 1998	185	(3)
Introduction	188	(1)
Texas Index: Voting and Elections in the States	189	(1)
Political Participation	189	(4)
Forms of Political Participation	190	(1)
Modes of Political Participation	191	(2)
Elections in Texas	193	(4)
Primary Elections	194	(2)
Special Elections	196	(1)
General Elections	196	(1)
Local Elections	197	(1)
Political Campaigns in Texas	197	(8)
Money: The Mother's Milk of Politics	197	(2)
Media: Linking the Candidates and the Voters	199	(1)
Marketing: Selling the Candidates	200	(5)
The Voters' Decisions	205	(9)
Voter Turnout	205	(4)
The Vote Choice: Parties, Issues, and Candidates	209	(5)
Campaigns, Elections, and Political Change	214	(1)
Campaingns, Elections, and Democracy	215	(6)
PART THREE Political Institutions
Texas Legislative Politics	221	(46)
Scenario: Sharpstown---How a Political Scandal Triggers Creedal Passion	221	(3)
Introduction	224	(1)
Texas Index: Legislatures in the United States	225	(1)
The Structure of the Texas Legislature	226	(5)
Sessions of the Legislature	226	(1)
Leaders	227	(1)
Committees	228	(3)
Legislative Membership---Representing the Public	231	(8)
Constitutional Provisions Affecting Legislators	232	(1)
Variables Affecting Members' Elections	233	(2)
Personal and Political Characteristics of Members	235	(4)
Organizing for Power and Influence in the Legislature	239	(6)
Leadership and Opposition in the House	240	(3)
Leadership and Opposition in the Senate	243	(2)
The Legislative Process	245	(9)
What Is a Bill? What Is a Resolution?	245	(1)
Rules, Procedures, and Internal Government	246	(1)
How a Bill Becomes Law	247	(7)
Legislative Staff	254	(2)
Staffing for Technical Assistance, Specialized Information, and Political Assistance	254	(1)
Battles over Control of House Staffing	255	(1)
Senate Staffing	256	(1)
Influences on Legislative Behavior	256	(3)
Relations with the Governor	256	(1)
Relations with Lobbyists	257	(1)
The Ethics of Lobbying	258	(1)
The Legislature and Political Change	259	(1)
The Legislature and Democracy	260	(7)
The Governor of Texas	267	(38)
Scenario: George W.Bush---Policy Change, Political Change, and Governors	267	(3)
Introduction	270	(1)
Texas Index: State Governors	271	(1)
Influences on the Development of the Texas Governorship	272	(1)
The Office of the Governor	272	(6)
Requirements and Roles	274	(3)
Terms of Office	277	(1)
Impeachment	278	(1)
Powers of the Governor	278	(9)
Characteristics of Strong Governorships	279	(1)
Moralism and Restrictions of Governors' Powers	280	(1)
Comparing the Texas Governor with Other Governors	280	(2)
Staff and Budget	282	(1)
Appointments to the Executive Branch	282	(5)
Social and Political Characteristics of Governors	287	(4)
Race, Gender, and Age	287	(1)
Education and Religion	288	(1)
Party and Ideology	288	(1)
Prior Experience	288	(2)
Postgubernatorial Careers	290	(1)
The Governor as a Political Leader	291	(4)
Public Opinion Leadership	291	(1)
Relationship with the Legislature	292	(3)
Governors and Political Change	295	(3)
Governors and Democracy	298	(7)
The Executive Branch	305	(34)
Scenario: Governing Public Education	305	(4)
Introduction	309	(1)
Texas Index: State Government Bureaucracy	310	(1)
Elected State Officials	311	(9)
Attorney General	314	(1)
Comptroller of Public Accounts	315	(1)
Treasurer	316	(1)
Land Commissioner	317	(1)
Agriculture Commissioner	318	(1)
Railroad Commissioners	318	(2)
State Board of Education	320	(1)
Appointed State Officials	320	(7)
Secretary of State	321	(2)
Public Utility Commissioners	323	(1)
Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commissioners	323	(1)
Insurance Commissioner	324	(1)
Public Counsels	325	(1)
Commissioner of Health and Human Services	325	(1)
Boards and Commissions	326	(1)
Organization and Reorganization of State Agencies	327	(1)
Controlling Bureaucracy	328	(3)
The Sunset Process	328	(2)
Staff Size and Pay	330	(1)
Bureaucracies and Political Change	331	(3)
Bureaucracies and Democracy	334	(5)
The Texas Justice System: The Law, the Courts, and Criminal Justice	339	(38)
Scenario: Winning the Gavel---Steve Mansfield and the Judicial Selection Process	339	(3)
Introduction	342	(1)
The Body of Laws: The Basis of the Judicial Branch	342	(1)
Sources of the Law	342	(1)
Texas Index: Crime, Courts, and Judges	343	(3)
The Types of Law	345	(1)
The Judicial Branch	346	(19)
Organizing Principles of the Judicial Branch	347	(1)
The Structure of the Judicial Branch	347	(7)
Criticisms of the Judicial Branch	354	(1)
Reforming the Court Structure	355	(2)
Judges and Judicial Selection	357	(8)
The Criminal Justice System	365	(6)
Enforcing the Law: The Police, Sheriffs, Highway Patrol, and Texas Rangers	365	(1)
Representing the People: Prosecuting Crimes	365	(1)
The Fulfillment of Justice: The Correctional System	366	(5)
The Courts, Criminal Justice, and Political Change	371	(1)
The Courts, Criminal Justice, and Democracy	372	(5)
The Local Governments: Cities, Counties, and Special Districts	377	(40)
Scenario: Local Government and Sports Arenas---Strange Bedfellows?	377	(2)
Introduction	379	(1)
Texas Index: Local Governments in the States	380	(1)
Cities	381	(15)
The Types of Cities	381	(1)
The Forms of City Government	382	(6)
Electing City Councils: The Struggle for Fair Representation	388	(4)
How Cities Make Laws: Ordinances	392	(1)
How Cities Grow	392	(3)
What Cities Do with Their Money: Revenues and Expenditures	395	(1)
Counties	396	(6)
County Government: The Plural Executive	396	(3)
What Counties Do with Their Money: Revenues and Expenditures	399	(1)
Keeping County Government Effective: Criticisms and Reforms	400	(2)
Special Districts	402	(6)
How and Why Special Districts Are Formed	402	(1)
The Governance and Revenues of Special Districts	403	(1)
The Varieties of Special Districts	404	(3)
Keeping Special Districts Effective: Aviding the Problem or Focusing on Issues?	407	(1)
More Than Local, Less Than State: Coordination and Cooperation among Local Governments	408	(4)
Metropolitan Solutions for Metropolitan Problems	409	(2)
Councils of Government: Solving Problems Together	411	(1)
Local Governments and Political Change	412	(1)
Local Governments and Democracy	412	(5)
PART FOUR Public Policies in Texas
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights	417	(32)
Scenario: The Texas Bill of Rights	417	(1)
Introduction	418	(1)
Texas Index: How States Guarantee Rights	419	(1)
Civil Liberties	420	(12)
Speech and Press (Expression)	420	(6)
Remonstrance	426	(1)
Religion	427	(1)
Rights of the Accused	428	(4)
Civil Rights	432	(12)
Citizenship	432	(1)
Voting	433	(7)
Equal Protection	440	(4)
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights and Political Change	444	(1)
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights and Democracy	445	(4)
Economic and Social Policies	449	(44)
Scenario: Texas School Finance Battles, 1968--2000	449	(2)
Introduction	451	(1)
Texas Index: Social and Economic Demographics	452	(1)
Economic Policy: Who Wins, Who Loses?	453	(5)
Subsidizing and Regulating Businesses	453	(2)
Wealth and Poverty	455	(3)
State Finance: Public Money and Public Policies	458	(13)
Budgeting and Borrowing	458	(3)
Revenue	461	(8)
Spending	469	(2)
Education Policy: Endless Skirmishes Over Equity and Quality	471	(7)
Public Education: Fulfilling Our Constitutional Mandate	471	(4)
Educational Quality	475	(1)
Higher Education: From Community Colleges to Universities	475	(3)
Health and Human Services Policy: Providing the Necessities of Life	478	(4)
The Federal--State Partnership	478	(1)
Assistance for Food, Shelter, and Clothing	479	(1)
Health Care	480	(1)
The Adequacy of Health and Human Service Programs in Texas	481	(1)
Economic and Social Policies and Political Change	482	(2)
Economic and Social Policies and Democracy	484	(9)
Glossary	493	(13)
Photo Credits	506	(3)
Index	509