Texas Politics and Government: Ideas, Institutions, and Policies

by Haag, Stefan D.; Peebles, Rex C.; Keith, Gary A.

• ISBN13: 9780673997685
• ISBN10: 0673997685
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-02-01
• Publisher: Pearson College Div

Table of Contents

Preface	xvii
PART 1 The Context for Texas Politics and Government	1	(110)
Chapter 1 Studying Texas Politics and Government	3	(29)
Scenario: The Government Requirement for College Students	3	(3)
Introduction	6	(1)
Politics and Government	7	(1)
The Central Role of Ideas: The American Creed	8	(1)
Analyzing Politics	9	(2)
Individualism	10	(1)
Liberty	10	(1)
Equality	11	(1)
Analyzing Government	11	(11)
Democracy	11	(10)
Constitutionalism	21	(1)
Analyzing Political Change	22	(6)
The Ideal-Reality Gap	23	(1)
Responses to the Ideal-Reality Gap	23	(5)
The Rest of the Story	28
TexasIndex: Democracy in the States	6	(8)
Profile: James S. Fishkin and Deliberative Polling	14	(18)
Chapter 2 The Context for Texas Politics and Government	32	(37)
Scenario: Debating the Role of Government	32	(1)
Introduction	33	(2)
The Ideological Context	35	(13)
Ideas and Texas Politics: The Texan Creed	35	(5)
The Acquisition of Political Ideas	40	(2)
The Organization of Political Ideas	42	(2)
The Texan Creed and Political Ideology	44	(4)
The Peoples of Texas	48	(9)
Native Americans	49	(3)
Hispanics	52	(1)
African-Americans	52	(1)
Asian-Americans	53	(1)
Anglos	54	(1)
The Contemporary Population of Texas	54	(3)
The Economy of Texas	57	(8)
Cotton	57	(1)
Cattle	58	(1)
Petroleum	58	(1)
The Contemporary Economy	59	(6)
Reading: The Forces of Change--The People, the Economy, and the Hemisphere	65
TexasIndex: The Socioeconomic Context in the States	34	(16)
Profile: The Institute of Texan Cultures	50	(19)
Chapter 3 The Legal Context: The Constitution and Federalism	69	(42)
Scenario: The Election of 1873--The New South Versus the Old South	69	(1)
Introduction	70	(1)
The Texas Constitution	71	(26)
The Purposes of a Constitution	72	(4)
History of Texas Constitutions	76	(13)
Constitutional Revision	89	(6)
The 1876 Constitution--Good or Bad?	95	(1)
The Constitution and Political Change	96	(1)
The Constitution and Democracy	97	(1)
Federalism	97	(10)
Types of Government	98	(1)
The Evolution of Federalism	99	(4)
Federalism and Political Change	103	(1)
Federalism and Democracy	103	(4)
Reading: Paying for Federal Mandates--States and Cities Pick Up the Slack to Fund Federal Initiatives	107
TexasIndex: Constitutions and Federalism in the States	72	(39)
PART 2 The Processes of Texas Politics	111	(140)
Chapter 4 Political Parties in Texas	113	(34)
Scenario: The Challenge to Democratic Party Dominance in a Time of Transition	113	(3)
Introduction	116	(1)
Political Party Organization	117	(13)
Formal Organization	118	(5)
Functional Organization	123	(7)
Party in the Electorate	130	(7)
Distribution of Party Attachments	131	(1)
Party Coalitions: Social and Geographic Distribution	131	(6)
The Party in Government	137	(3)
In the Executive Branch	137	(1)
In the Legislative Branch	138	(1)
In the Judicial Branch	139	(1)
Parties and Political Change	140	(2)
Parties and Democracy	142
TexasIndex: Political Parties in the States	117	(2)
Profile: Billie Carr and Nancy Palm--Party Activists	119	(28)
Chapter 5 Interest Groups in Texas	147	(31)
Scenario: Take Back Texas Inc.--The Battle over Property Rights	147	(3)
Introduction	150	(1)
The Creation of Interest Groups	151	(2)
Disturbance Theory	151	(1)
Entrepreneurial Theory	152	(1)
Members of Groups: Joining and Staying	153	(1)
Benefits of Group Membership	153	(1)
Collective Benefits and the Free-Rider Problem	153	(1)
Goals of Groups: Why Groups Are Involved in Politics	154	(2)
Primary Goals	155	(1)
Secondary Goals	155	(1)
Types of Interest Groups	156	(4)
Business Groups and Trade Associations	156	(1)
Professional Associations	157	(1)
Labor Groups	157	(1)
Racial and Ethnic Groups	157	(1)
Public Interest Groups	158	(1)
Interest-Group Influence	158	(2)
Political Activities of Groups	160	(10)
Lobbying	160	(7)
Electioneering	167	(2)
Litigation	169	(1)
Interest Groups and Political Change	170	(1)
Interest Groups and Democracy	170	(6)
Reading: Texas's Top Ten Lobbyists in 1995	176
TexasIndex: Interest Groups in the States	150	(28)
Chapter 6 Political Communications: The Media and Public Opinion	178	(35)
Scenario: Assessing the Candidate in the Media--Does the Governor Really Want Her Job?	178	(2)
Introduction	180	(1)
The Political Roles of the Media	181	(2)
Factors Shaping the News	183	(4)
What Is News?	183	(1)
Newspeople and Their Values	183	(2)
The Structure of News Organizations	185	(1)
The Economics of the News	186	(1)
The Media in Texas	187	(3)
Television	187	(1)
Newspapers	188	(1)
Radio	189	(1)
Magazines	189	(1)
The Political Effects of the Media	190	(9)
What People Think About	192	(2)
What People Think	194	(2)
How People Think	196	(2)
How People Feel	198	(1)
Public Opinion	199	(5)
The Dimensions of Public Opinion	199	(1)
The Measurement of Public Opinion	199	(2)
Public Opinion in Texas	201	(3)
The Media, Public Opinion, and Political Change	204	(1)
The Media, Public Opinion, and Democracy	204	(6)
Reading: The Credibility of Polls	210
TexasIndex: Print and Broadcast Media in the States	181	(10)
Profile: The Texas Observer	191	(22)
Chapter 7 Political Participation, Campaigns, and Elections	213	(38)
Scenario: The Richards-Bush Gubernatorial Race of 1994	213	(2)
Introduction	215	(1)
Political Participation	216	(5)
Forms of Political Participation	216	(1)
Modes of Political Participation	217	(1)
Elections in Texas	221	(5)
Primary Elections	222	(3)
Special Elections	225	(1)
General Elections	225	(1)
Local Elections	226	(1)
Political Campaigns in Texas	226	(7)
Money: The Mother's Milk of Politics	226	(2)
Media: Linking the Candidates and the Voters	228	(1)
Marketing: Selling the Candidates	229	(4)
The Voters' Decisions	233	(12)
Voter Turnout	234	(7)
The Vote Choice: Parties, Issues, and Candidates	241	(4)
Campaigns, Elections, and Political Change	245	(1)
Campaigns, Elections, and Democracy	246
TexasIndex: Voting and Elections in the States	215	(4)
Profile: Ernesto Cortes, Jr., and COPs	219	(18)
Profile: Lawrence Nixon and the White Primary	237	(14)
PART 3 Political Institutions	251	(220)
Chapter 8 Texas Legislative Politics	253	(50)
Scenario: Sharpstown--How a Political Scandal Triggers Creedal Passion	253	(5)
Introduction	258	(1)
The Structure of the Texas Legislature	258	(4)
Sessions of the Legislature	259	(1)
Leaders	259	(1)
Committees	260	(2)
Legislative Membership--Representing the Public	262	(11)
Constitutional Provisions Affecting Legislators	265	(1)
Variables Affecting Members' Elections	266	(2)
Personal and Political Characteristics of Members	268	(5)
Organizing for Power and Influence in the Legislature	273	(7)
Leadership and Opposition in the House	273	(5)
Leadership and Opposition in the Senate	278	(2)
The Legislative Process	280	(6)
What Is a Bill? What Is a Resolution?	280	(1)
Rules, Procedures, and Internal Government	281	(1)
How a Bill Becomes Law	281	(5)
Legislative Staff	286	(5)
Staffing for Technical Assistance, Specialized Information, and Political Assistance	287	(1)
Battles over Control of House Staffing	287	(3)
Senate Staffing	290	(1)
Influences on Legislative Behavior	291	(2)
Relations with the Governor	291	(1)
Relations with Lobbyists	291	(1)
The Ethics of Lobbying	292	(1)
The Legislature and Political Change	293	(2)
The Legislature and Democracy	295	(6)
Reading: State Representative Sylvester Turner	301
TexasIndex: Legislatures in the United States	257	(46)
Chapter 9 The Governor of Texas	303	(42)
Scenario: James V. Allred--Texas's New Deal Governor	303	(4)
Introduction	307	(2)
Influences on the Development of the Texas Governorship	309	(1)
The Office of the Governor	310	(6)
Requirements and Roles	310	(4)
Terms of Office	314	(2)
Powers of the Governor	316	(9)
Characteristics of Strong Governorships	316	(1)
Moralism and Restrictions of Governors' Powers	316	(1)
Comparing the Texas Governor with Other Governors	317	(1)
Staff and Budget	318	(2)
Appointments to the Executive Branch	320	(5)
Social and Political Characteristics of Governors	325	(4)
Race, Gender, and Age	325	(1)
Education and Religion	325	(1)
Party and Ideology	326	(1)
Prior Experience	326	(2)
Postgubernatorial Careers	328	(1)
The Governor as a Political Leader	329	(5)
Public-Opinion Leadership	329	(1)
Relationship with the Legislature	330	(4)
Governors and Political Change	334	(3)
Governors and Democracy	337	(6)
Reading: Governor George W. Bush	343
TexasIndex: State Governors	308	(37)
Chapter 10 The Executive Branch	345	(39)
Scenario: Creating the Public Utility Commission	345	(3)
Introduction	348	(2)
Elected State Officials	350	(12)
Attorney General	352	(2)
Comptroller of Public Accounts	354	(1)
Treasurer	355	(4)
Land Commissioner	359	(1)
Agriculture Commissioner	360	(1)
Railroad Commissioners	361	(1)
State Board of Education	362	(1)
Appointed State Officials	362	(7)
Secretary of State	363	(2)
Public Utility Commissioners	365	(1)
Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commissioners	365	(2)
Insurance Commissioner	367	(1)
Public Counsels	368	(1)
Commissioner of Health and Human Services	368	(1)
Boards and Commissions	368	(1)
Organization and Reorganization of State Agencies	369	(3)
Controlling Bureaucracy	372	(4)
The Sunset Process	372	(2)
Staff Size and Pay	374	(2)
Bureaucracies and Political Change	376	(3)
Bureaucracies and Democracy	379
TexasIndex: State Government Bureaucracy	348	(8)
Profile: John Sharp, Comptroller of Public Accounts	356	(28)
Chapter 11 The Texas Justice System: The Law, the Courts, and Criminal Justice	384	(42)
Scenario: Winning the Gavel--Steve Mansfield and the Judicial-Selection Process	384	(2)
Introduction	386	(2)
The Body of Laws: The Basis of the Judicial Branch	388	(3)
Sources of the Law	388	(2)
The Types of Law	390	(1)
The Judicial Branch	391	(21)
Organizing Principles of the Judicial Branch	391	(1)
The Structure of the Judicial Branch	392	(8)
Criticisms of the Judicial Branch	400	(1)
Reforming the Court Structure	401	(2)
Judges and Judicial Selection	403	(9)
The Criminal-Justice System	412	(8)
Enforcing the Law: The Police, Sheriffs, Highway Patrol, and Texas Rangers	412	(1)
Representing the People: Prosecuting Crimes	413	(1)
The Fulfillment of Justice: The Correctional System	414	(6)
The Courts, Criminal Justice, and Political Change	420	(1)
The Courts, Criminal Justice, and Democracy	421
TexasIndex: Crime, Courts, and Judges	387	(17)
Profile: John Hill, the Committee of 100, and Judicial Reform	404	(22)
Chapter 12 The Local Governments: Cities, Counties, and Special Districts	426	(45)
Scenario: The Mayor of Dallas--Why the Structure of City Government Matters	426	(4)
Introduction	430	(1)
Cities	430	(17)
The Types of Cities	430	(2)
The Forms of City Government	432	(6)
Electing City Councils: The Struggle for Fair Representation	438	(5)
How Cities Make Laws: Ordinances	443	(1)
How Cities Grow	444	(2)
What Cities Do with Their Money: Revenues and Expenditures	446	(1)
Counties	447	(6)
County Government: The Plural Executive	448	(3)
What Counties Do with Their Money: Revenues and Expenditures	451	(1)
Keeping County Government Effective: Criticisms and Reforms	451	(2)
Special Districts	453	(7)
How and Why Special Districts are Formed	454	(1)
The Governance and Revenues of Special Districts	455	(1)
The Varieties of Special Districts	456	(3)
Keeping Special Districts Effective: Avoiding the Problem or Focusing on Issues?	459	(1)
More Than Local, Less Than State: Coordination and Cooperation Between Local Governments	460	(3)
Metropolitan Solutions for Metropolitan Problems	460	(3)
Councils of Government: Solving Problems Together	463	(1)
Local Governments and Political Change	463	(1)
Local Governments and Democracy	464	(4)
Reading: Empowering Local Communities	468
TexasIndex: Local Governments in the States	431	(40)
PART 4 Public Policies in Texas	471	(112)
Chapter 13 Civil Liberties and Civil Rights	473	(38)
Scenario: The Texas Bill of Rights	473	(1)
Introduction	474	(3)
Civil Liberties	477	(14)
Speech and Press (Expression)	477	(7)
Remonstrance	484	(1)
Religion	485	(1)
Rights of the Accused	486	(5)
Civil Rights	491	(14)
Citizenship	491	(1)
Voting	492	(8)
Equal Protection	500	(5)
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights and Political Change	505	(2)
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights and Democracy	507
TexasIndex: How States Guarantee Rights	475	(4)
Profile: James C. Harrington and the Texas Civil Rights Project	479	(32)
Chapter 14 State Finance	511	(30)
Scenario: The Income-Tax Wars	511	(3)
Introduction	514	(1)
Budgeting	515	(4)
Balanced-Budget Requirements	516	(1)
Spending Limits	517	(1)
Constitutional, Statutory, and Court-Mandated Budget Restrictions	518	(1)
Adjusting the Budget Between Legislative Sessions	518	(1)
The State Revenue System	519	(9)
Taxes	520	(3)
Federal Funds	523	(1)
State Lottery	524	(1)
Level of Taxation	524	(1)
Effects of the Texas Tax System on Individuals	525	(3)
State Spending	528	(3)
Types of State Expenditures	528	(2)
State Spending in Texas, Compared with Other States	530	(1)
Managing State Funds and State Debt	531	(1)
State Finance and Political Change	532	(2)
State Finance and Democracy	534	(5)
Reading: The Great Tax Debate	539
TexasIndex: Spending, Taxing, and Borrowing	514	(27)
Chapter 15 Economic and Social Policies	541	(42)
Scenario: Texas School Finance Battles, 1968-1995	541	(2)
Introduction	543	(2)
Economic Policy: Who Wins, Who Loses?	545	(5)
Analyzing Economic Policy Through Theories of Redistribution	545	(1)
Subsidizing and Regulating Businesses	546	(1)
Wealth, Poverty, and State Economic Policy	547	(3)
Education Policy: Endless Skirmishes over Equity and Quality	550	(9)
Public Education: Fulfilling Our Constitutional Mandate	551	(1)
Structure of Elementary and Secondary Education	551	(2)
School Finance: The Clash of Economic and Social Policies	553	(3)
Educational Quality	556	(1)
Higher Education: From Community Colleges to Universities	557	(2)
Health and Human Services Policy: Providing the Necessities of Life	559	(7)
The Federal-State Partnership	560	(1)
Assistance for Food, Shelter, and Clothing	561	(1)
Health Care	562	(1)
Social Welfare Aid Adequacy	563	(3)
Environmental and Energy Policy: Regulatory Wars	566	(5)
Sparring over Federal and State Regulation of the Environment	567	(1)
Texas Water Wars	568	(1)
Texas Waste-Management Wars	569	(1)
Energy Policy: Production, Conservation, and Pricing Conflicts	570	(1)
Transportation Policy	571	(2)
Highway Politics	572	(1)
Public Transit--The Poor Cousin	573	(1)
Economic and Social Policies and Political Change	573	(2)
Economic and Social Policies and Democracy	575	(6)
Reading: How Poor Is Poor?	581
TexasIndex: Social and Economic Demographics	544	(39)
PART 5 Into the Twenty-first Century	583	(16)
Chapter 16 Ideas, Institutions, and Policies in the Twenty-first Century	585	(14)
Ideas and the Context for Politics and Government	585	(3)
Political Processes	588	(2)
The Institutions of Government	590	(5)
Public Policies	595	(4)
Glossary	599	(21)
Photo Credits	620	(1)
Index	621