Texas Politics Today With Infotrac

by MAXWELL/CRAIN

• ISBN13: 9780534612542
• ISBN10: 0534612547
• Edition: 11th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-07-30
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

Now in its eleventh edition, TEXAS POLITICS TODAY continues to be a best-selling overview of Texas Politics because it offers students a wide range of viewpoints, drawing on the diverse political and social perspectives of its contributing authors to give students rich, nuanced insight into the political system and decision-making processes of the Lone Star State. Current issues and candid analysis of government increase student awareness of the real effects of state policy on their lives, and encourage them to get politically involved.

Table of Contents

Preface	xii
Texas Culture, People, and History	1	(34)
Texas Cultural Regions	2	(8)
East Texas	2	(1)
Gulf Coast	2	(2)
South Texas	4	(1)
Southwest Texas	5	(1)
German Hill Country	6	(1)
West Texas	6	(1)
The Panhandle	7	(1)
North Texas	7	(3)
Central Texas	10	(1)
Politics and Government	10	(12)
The Republic: 1836--1846	10	(1)
Early Statehood and Secession: 1846--1864	11	(1)
Post-Civil War Texas: 1865--1885	11	(1)
Progress and Reform: 1886--1913	12	(1)
Farmer Jim: 1914--1918	13	(1)
World War I, the Twenties, and the Return of Farmer Jim: 1919--1928	14	(1)
The Great Depression: 1929--1939	15	(1)
``Pass the Biscuits, Pappy'': 1938--1945	16	(1)
Post-World War II: 1946--1949	17	(1)
The 1950s	17	(1)
The 1960s	18	(1)
The 1970s	19	(1)
The 1980s	19	(1)
The 1990s	20	(1)
The 2000s	21	(1)
Cultural Diversity	22	(2)
Conclusion	24	(1)
Key Terms	24	(1)
Review Questions	24	(1)
Logging On	25	(1)
Get Active!	26	(1)
Essay: The Political Culture of ``Hispanics'' and ``Mexican Americans'' in Texas	27	(2)
Fernando Pinon
Appendix	29	(6)
How Texas Compares	29	(6)
The Texas Constitution in Perspective	35	(28)
The Texas Constitution in Perspective	36	(1)
The National Constitution and the States: Federalism	36	(4)
Division of Powers	36	(2)
Limits on States	38	(2)
The Texas Constitution	40	(13)
The Texas Constitution in History	41	(1)
The Texas Constitution Today	42	(1)
Bill of Rights and Fundamental Liberty	43	(1)
Separation of Powers	44	(1)
Legislative Branch	45	(1)
Executive Branch	46	(2)
Courts	48	(1)
Local Government	48	(1)
Suffrage	49	(1)
Amending and Revising the Texas Constitution	49	(1)
The Texas Constitution Compared	50	(3)
Conclusion	53	(1)
Key Terms	53	(1)
Review Questions	54	(1)
Logging On	54	(1)
Get Active!	54	(1)
Recent Developments	55	(1)
Essay: Governor E.J. Davis and His Legacy for Texas	56	(3)
Lynn R. Brink
Charlotte A. Rike
A Square Peg in a Round Hole: The Regime of Governor Edmund J. Davis Reconsidered	59	(4)
Jeremy Curtoys
Voting and Elections	63	(38)
Political Participation	64	(9)
The Participation Paradox	64	(1)
Who Votes?	64	(1)
The Practice of Voting	65	(2)
Voter Turnout in the United States and Texas	67	(2)
Reasons for Low Voter Turnout in Texas	69	(4)
Elections in Texas	73	(15)
Primary Elections	73	(5)
General Elections	78	(1)
Special Elections	79	(1)
The Conduct and Administration of Elections	80	(8)
Election Campaigns in Texas	88	(6)
Who Gets Elected	89	(1)
The General Election Campaign	89	(2)
Money in Political Campaigns	91	(3)
Conclusion	94	(1)
Key Terms	95	(1)
Review Questions	95	(1)
Logging On	96	(1)
Get Active!	96	(1)
Recent Developments	97	(1)
Essay: Diversity Doesn't Deliver Democratic Dream	98	(3)
Albert Rambo
Political Parties	101	(24)
Functions of Political Parties	102	(1)
Characteristics of American Political Parties	103	(2)
Pragmatism	103	(1)
Decentralization	103	(1)
Two-Partyism	104	(1)
Development of the Texas Party System	105	(6)
The One-Party Tradition in Texas	105	(1)
Ideological Basis of Factionalism: Conservatives and Liberals	106	(1)
Conservative and Liberal Factions in the Democratic Party	106	(2)
Rise of the Republican Party	108	(2)
Conservative and Moderate Factions within the Republican Party	110	(1)
Organizational Basis of Party Machinery in Texas	111	(3)
Temporary-Party Organization	111	(3)
Permanent-Party Organization	114	(1)
A New Era of Republican Dominance	115	(1)
Emergence of Republican Party Dominance	115	(2)
Conclusion	117	(1)
Key Terms	118	(1)
Review Questions	118	(1)
Logging On	119	(1)
Get Active!	119	(1)
Recent Developments	119	(2)
Essay: Republicans Rule: The Texas Election 2002	121	(4)
Glenn David Garrison
Interest Groups	125	(34)
What Interest Groups Are	127	(1)
What Interest Groups Do	128	(1)
Direct Means of Influencing Government	129	(1)
Lobbying the Legislative and Executive Branches	129	(1)
Filing Suit in Court	129	(1)
Advising and Serving the State	129	(1)
Public Demonstrations	130	(1)
Indirect Means of Influencing Government	130	(1)
Electioneering	130	(1)
Educating the Public	130	(1)
Socializing	130	(1)
Why People Join Interest Groups	131	(1)
Types of Interest Groups	132	(1)
Economic	132	(1)
Noneconomic	132	(1)
Mixed	132	(1)
Factors that Affect Interest Group Power	133	(4)
Culture of Nonparticipation	132	(1)
Party Competition	133	(1)
Part-Time Legislature	134	(1)
Decentralization of Executive Branch Power	134	(1)
Law	134	(1)
The Media	134	(1)
Constituent Influence	135	(1)
Interest Groups as Checks on Interest Groups	136	(1)
Campaign Contributions	136	(1)
Conclusions About Balance in the Political System	137	(2)
The Regulation of Lobbying	139	(2)
Who Must Register and Report Lobbying Costs?	139	(1)
What Does a Lobbyist Report?	139	(1)
What Is Not Reported as Lobbying that Affects Lobbying?	140	(1)
Access to the Reports of Lobbyists	141	(1)
Reporting to Clients	141	(1)
The Craft of Lobbying	141	(3)
Before the Legislature	141	(1)
Before Administrative Agencies	142	(1)
Before the Courts	143	(1)
Which Interests Are Powerful?	144	(2)
Interest Group Dynamics	146	(1)
Conclusions and Observations	147	(1)
Key Terms	148	(1)
Review Questions	148	(1)
Logging On	149	(1)
Get Active!	149	(1)
Recent Developments	150	(2)
Essay: Big Money in a Big State: Campaign Financing and Representative Democracy in Texas	152	(3)
John David Rausch, Jr.
Essay: Interest Groups and their Role in Implementing the Children's Health Insurance Program in Texas	155	(4)
Mitzi Mahoney
The Legislature: Organization and Structure	159	(24)
Geographic Districts	160	(4)
Qualifications for Membership	164	(3)
Formal Qualifications	164	(1)
Informal Qualifications	164	(3)
Organization of the Texas Legislature	167	(5)
Presiding Officers	167	(3)
Legislative Committees	170	(1)
Legislative Staff	171	(1)
Amateurism in Texas Legislature	172	(3)
Terms	172	(1)
Compensation	173	(1)
The Limited Session	174	(1)
Conclusion	175	(1)
Key Terms	176	(1)
Review Questions	176	(1)
Logging On	176	(1)
Get Active!	177	(1)
Recent Developments	178	(1)
Essay: Legislative Redistricting and the 2002 Elections	179	(4)
Brian K. Dille
The Legislative Process	183	(26)
Powers of the Presiding Officers	184	(14)
Procedural Tools of Leadership	185	(11)
Institutional Tools of Leadership	196	(2)
Restraints on Powers of Presiding Officers	198	(2)
Personality	198	(1)
The Team	198	(1)
The Lobby and Bureaucracy	198	(1)
The Governor	199	(1)
Political Climate	199	(1)
Political or Economic Ambition	200	(1)
Other Legislators	200	(1)
Conclusion	200	(1)
Key Terms	201	(1)
Review Questions	201	(1)
Logging On	201
Get Active!	177	(26)
Recent Developments	203	(2)
Essay: 5 PACs United for GOP House Groups Gave $1.7 Million for Twenty-two Races, Winning Seventeen; Biggest Backers Driving Business Agenda	205	(2)
Christy Hoppe
Essay: Lobbyists Lining Up Behind New GOP Leadership Groups Feel Heat for Backing Losers	207	(2)
Ken Herman
Dave McNeely
The Governor	209	(22)
Qualifications, Tenure, and Staff	211	(4)
Formal Qualifications	211	(1)
Informal Criteria	211	(2)
Tenure, Removal, and Succession	213	(1)
Compensation	214	(1)
Staff	214	(1)
Tools of Persuasion	215	(9)
Legislative Tools of Persuasion	215	(4)
Executive Tools of Persuasion	219	(4)
Governor as Party Chief	223	(1)
Conclusion	224	(1)
Key Terms	224	(1)
Review Questions	225	(1)
Logging On	225	(1)
Get Active!	226	(1)
Recent Developments	226	(2)
Essay: Texas Gubernatorial Appointments	228	(3)
Patricia Caperton Parent
The Bureaucracy	231	(30)
Characteristics of Bureaucracy	232	(5)
Size	232	(2)
Neutrality	234	(1)
Hierarchy	235	(2)
Expertise	237	(1)
The Bureaucracy and Public Policy	237	(8)
Clientele Groups	237	(1)
The Legislature, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker	238	(1)
The Governor	238	(1)
The Iron Texas Star	239	(1)
Public Support	240	(1)
Expertise	241	(1)
Information	241	(1)
Administration of the Law	241	(1)
Accountability	241	(4)
The Texas Administration	245	(7)
Elected Executives	246	(3)
Appointed Executives	249	(1)
Boards and Commissions	250	(2)
Conclusion	252	(2)
Key Terms	254	(1)
Review Questions	254	(1)
Logging On	254	(1)
Get Active!	255	(1)
Recent Developments	255	(2)
Essay: Agencies and Influence--A Special Case in the Public Utilities Commission of Texas: ``What a Tangled Web....''	257	(4)
Christy Kaupert
The Judiciary	261	(30)
Civil and Criminal Cases	263	(1)
Original and Appellate Jurisdiction	264	(1)
Court Organization	264	(11)
Municipal Courts	264	(3)
Justices of the Peace	267	(1)
County Courts	268	(1)
District Courts	269	(1)
Courts of Appeals	270	(1)
Court of Criminal Appeals	271	(3)
Supreme Court	274	(1)
Juries	275	(2)
The Grand Jury	275	(1)
The Petit (Trial) Jury	276	(1)
Selection of Judges	277	(1)
The Politics of Judicial Selection in Texas	278	(3)
Conclusion	281	(1)
Key Terms	282	(1)
Review Questions	282	(1)
Logging On	282	(1)
Get Active!	283	(1)
Recent Developments	284	(1)
Essay: Runaway Campaign Contributions in Texas Supreme Court Races: Causes, Impact, and Proposed Reforms	285	(6)
John C. Domino
Law and Due Process	291	(36)
Civil Law	292	(2)
Types of Civil Law	292	(2)
Issues in Civil Law	294	(1)
The Elements of Crime	294	(6)
The Crime	294	(2)
The Criminal	296	(3)
The Victim	299	(1)
Law Enforcement	300	(5)
State Agencies	301	(1)
Local Agencies	301	(1)
Prevention of Crime	301	(1)
Detection of Crime	302	(1)
Enforcement of Law	302	(1)
Gathering Evidence	303	(1)
Arrest	304	(1)
Detention	304	(1)
The Courts	305	(7)
Pretrial Court Activities	306	(1)
Formal Charges	307	(1)
Pretrial Hearings	308	(1)
Plea Bargaining	308	(1)
The Trial	309	(1)
Post-Trial Proceedings	310	(1)
The Special Case of Juvenile Courts	311	(1)
Rehabilitation and Punishment	312	(3)
Texas Department of Criminal Justice	313	(1)
Clemency	314	(1)
Texas Youth Commission	314	(1)
Jails	314	(1)
Conclusion	315	(1)
Key Terms	316	(1)
Review Questions	317	(1)
Logging On	317	(1)
Get Active!	318	(1)
Recent Developments	318	(2)
Essay: In Search of a Solution to America's Drug Problem: Will History Repeat Itself?	320	(7)
Orlando N. Bama
Taxing and Budgeting	327	(20)
Revenues	328	(11)
Taxation	329	(3)
Issues in Taxation	332	(3)
Tax Rates	335	(2)
Other Revenues	337	(2)
The Budgetary Process	339	(2)
Conclusion	341	(1)
Key Terms	341	(1)
Review Questions	342	(1)
Logging On	342	(1)
Get Active!	342	(1)
Recent Developments	343	(4)
Essay: Possible Texas Tax Reforms	344	(3)
Albert Luther Ellis III
Spending and Services	347	(24)
Education in Texas	349	(9)
Elementary and Secondary Schools	349	(2)
The Politics of Public Education	351	(4)
Higher Education	355	(3)
Health and Human Services	358	(5)
Health Programs	358	(1)
Mental Health Programs	359	(1)
Unemployment Programs	359	(1)
Human-Service Programs	360	(1)
The Politics of ``Welfare''	360	(3)
Transportation	363	(1)
Highway Programs	363	(1)
The Politics of Transportation	364	(1)
Conclusion	364	(1)
Key Terms	365	(1)
Review Questions	365	(1)
Logging On	365	(1)
Get Active!	366	(1)
Recent Developments	366	(2)
Essay: Vouchers, Charters, and School Choice in Texas	368	(3)
Barry L. Price
Local Government	371	(30)
Municipalities	373	(12)
Forms of Government	374	(2)
Municipal-Election Systems	376	(2)
Revenue Sources and Limitations	378	(2)
Issues and Trends	380	(5)
Counties	385	(5)
Functions of Counties	385	(1)
Structure and Organization of Counties	386	(2)
Issues and Trends	388	(2)
Special Districts: The Hidden Governments	390	(3)
Issues and Trends	390	(3)
Councils of Governments (COGs)	393	(1)
Conclusion	394	(1)
Key Terms	394	(1)
Review Questions	395	(1)
Logging On	395	(1)
Web Exercise	396	(1)
Get Active!	396	(1)
Recent Developments	396	(2)
Essay: Be Careful How You Attempt to Widen the ``Scope of Conflict'': A Professor's Tale of Getting Out the Student Vote in an Obscure Local Election	398	(3)
Rick Henderson
Glossary	401	(10)
Index	411