American Government and Politics Today - Texas Edition, 2006-2007

by Schmidt, Steffen W.; Shelley, Mack C.; Bardes, Barbara A.; Maxwell, William Earl; Crain, Ernest

• ISBN13: 9780534580810
• ISBN10: 0534580815
• Edition: 12th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-07-20
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

Experience the excitement that comes from active, informed citizenship with AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS TODAY: TEXAS EDITION. You will find balanced, unbiased, up-to-date coverage of constitutional, governmental, political, social, and economic structures and processes along with a wide range of viewpoints that give you rich, nuanced insight into the political system and decision-making processes of the Lone Star State.

Table of Contents

The American System
The Democratic Republic	p. 1
Chapter 1 Features
Global View: America: The Exceptional Country?	p. 12
America's Security: Loss of Liberty in Wartime	p. 14
Which Side Are You On? Forfeiture and the War on Drugs	p. 16
Politics and Diversity: The Problem of Racial Classifications	p. 24
What if ... National Laws Were Put to a Popular Vote?	p. 2
Politics and Government	p. 3
Why Is Government Necessary?	p. 3
Democracy and Other Forms of Government	p. 5
What Kind of Democracy Do We Have?	p. 9
Fundamental Values	p. 10
Political Ideologies	p. 15
The Changing Face of America	p. 20
American Politics: Why Is It Important Today?	p. 25
Making a Difference Seeing Democracy in Action	p. 26
Key Terms	p. 26
Chapter Summary	p. 27
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 27
E-Mocracy Connecting to American Government and Politics	p. 28
The Constitution	p. 29
Chapter 2 Features
Politics and Diversity: Could the Founders Have Banned Slavery Outright?	p. 43
America's Security: The Constitutional Rights of Foreign Citizens	p. 51
What If ... An Immigrant Could Become President?	p. 30
The Colonial Background	p. 31
British Restrictions and Colonial Grievances	p. 33
The Colonial Response: The Continental Congresses	p. 33
Declaring Independence	p. 34
The Rise of Republicanism	p. 36
The Articles of Confederation: Our First Form of Government	p. 36
Drafting the Constitution	p. 39
The Final Document	p. 46
The Difficult Road to Ratification	p. 46
The Bill of Rights	p. 50
Altering the Constitution: The Formal Amendment Process	p. 51
Informal Methods of Constitutional Change	p. 54
The Constitution: Why Is It Important Today?	p. 57
Making a Difference How Can You Affect the Constitution?	p. 58
Key Terms	p. 58
Chapter Summary	p. 59
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 59
E-Mocracy The Internet and Our Constitution	p. 60
Appendix to Chapter 2	p. 61
Federalism	p. 79
Chapter 3 Features
Politics and Diversity: Tribal Governments and Federalism	p. 89
Which Side Are You On? The Debate over Marijuana	p. 94
Politics and Diversity: The Oregon Plan for Medicaid	p. 100
What If ... Education Were a National Responsibility?	p. 80
Three Systems of Government	p. 81
Why Federalism?	p. 82
The Constitutional Basis for American Federalism	p. 85
Defining Constitutional Powers-The Early Years	p. 88
States' Rights and the Resort to Civil War	p. 91
The Continuing Dispute over the Division of Power	p. 93
The Politics of Federalism	p. 100
Federalism and the Supreme Court Today	p. 103
Federalism: Why Is It Important Today?	p. 105
Making a Difference Writing Letters to the Editor	p. 106
Key Terms	p. 106
Chapter Summary	p. 107
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 108
E-Mocracy Your Federal, State, and Local Governments Are Available at a Click of Your Mouse	p. 109
Civil Rights and Liberties
Civil Liberties	p. 111
Chapter 4 Features
Which Side Are You On? Should We Be One Nation "under God"?	p. 117
Global View: The Head Scarves Issue	p. 123
America's Security: Military Tribunals for Suspected Terrorists	p. 139
What If ... You Had to Carry a National Identification Card?	p. 112
The Bill of Rights	p. 113
Freedom of Religion	p. 114
Freedom of Expression	p. 122
Freedom of the Press	p. 130
The Right to Assemble and to Petition the Government	p. 132
More Liberties under Scrutiny: Matters of Privacy	p. 132
The Great Balancing Act: The Rights of the Accused versus the Rights of Society	p. 137
The Death Penalty	p. 141
Civil Liberties: Why Are They Important Today?	p. 143
Making a Difference Your Civil Liberties: Searches and Seizures	p. 144
Key Terms	p. 145
Chapter Summary	p. 145
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 146
E-Mocracy Understanding Your Civil Liberties	p. 146
Civil Rights	p. 149
Chapter 5 Features
Global View: The Struggle for Women's Rights around the World	p. 165
Which Side Are You On? Zero-Tolerance Policies	p. 182
What If ... One State's Same-Sex Marriages Had to Be Recognized Nationwide?	p. 150
African Americans and the Consequences of Slavery in the United States	p. 151
The Civil Rights Movement	p. 157
The Climax of the Civil Rights Movement	p. 159
Women's Struggle for Equal Rights	p. 163
Gender-Based Discrimination in the Workplace	p. 168
Civil Rights: Extending Equal Protection	p. 170
Affirmative Action	p. 171
Special Protection for Older Americans	p. 172
Securing Rights for Persons with Disabilities	p. 173
The Rights and Status of Gay Males and Lesbians	p. 175
The Rights and Status of Juveniles	p. 178
Civil Rights: Why Are They Important Today?	p. 183
Making a Difference Dealing with Discrimination	p. 184
Key Terms	p. 184
Chapter Summary	p. 185
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 186
E-Mocracy Civil Rights Information Online	p. 187
People and Politics
Public Opinion and Political Socialization	p. 189
Chapter 6 Features
Global View: Polling in Baghdad	p. 206
Politics and Polls: The Issue of Push Polls	p. 208
What If ... Exit Polls Were Regulated?	p. 190
Defining Public Opinion	p. 192
How Public Opinion Is Formed: Political Socialization	p. 193
Political Preferences and Voting Behavior	p. 196
Measuring Public Opinion	p. 202
Technology and Opinion Polls	p. 207
Public Opinion and the Political Process	p. 209
Public Opinion: Why Is It Important Today?	p. 213
Making a Difference Be a Critical Consumer of Opinion Polls	p. 215
Key Terms	p. 215
Chapter Summary	p. 216
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 216
E-Mocracy Online Polling and Poll Data	p. 217
Interest Groups	p. 219
Chapter 7 Features
America's Security: Interest Groups and Aviation Security	p. 222
Which Side Are You On? Should the Internet Be Taxed?	p. 229
What If ... Retired Government Employees Could Not Work for Interest Groups?	p. 220
Interest Groups: A Natural Phenomenon	p. 221
Why Do Americans Join Interest Groups?	p. 224
Types of Interest Groups	p. 227
What Makes an Interest Group Powerful?	p. 235
Interest Group Strategies	p. 237
Regulating Lobbyists	p. 242
Interest Groups and Representative Democracy	p. 243
Interest Groups: Why Are They Important Today?	p. 244
Making a Difference The Gun Control Issue	p. 245
Key Terms	p. 245
Chapter Summary	p. 246
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 246
E-Mocracy Interest Groups and the Internet	p. 247
Political Parties	p. 249
Chapter 8 Features
Politics and Elections: The 2004 Democratic Primary Elections	p. 263
Which Side Are You On? Should Voters Ignore Third-Party Candidates?	p. 277
What If ... We Had a Multiparty Political System?	p. 250
What Is a Political Party?	p. 251
A History of Political Parties in the United States	p. 252
The Two Major U.S. Parties Today	p. 259
The Three Faces of a Party	p. 262
Why Has the Two-Party System Endured?	p. 270
The Role of Minor Parties in U.S. Politics	p. 272
Mechanisms of Political Change	p. 278
Political Parties: Why Are They Important Today?	p. 281
Making a Difference Electing Convention Delegates	p. 282
Key Terms	p. 283
Chapter Summary	p. 283
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 284
E-Mocracy Political Parties and the Internet	p. 285
Campaigns, Nominations, and Elections	p. 287
Chapter 9 Features
Politics and Campaigns: Who Is Paying for Those Television Commercials?	p. 302
Which Side Are You On? Should There Be One Voting System for All States?
What If ... We Had Public Financing for All Political Campaigns?	p. 288
Who Wants to Be a Candidate?	p. 289
The Twenty-First-Century Campaign	p. 293
The Strategy of Winning	p. 294
Financing the Campaign	p. 296
Interest Groups and Campaign Money	p. 298
Running for President: The Longest Campaign	p. 304
The Electoral College	p. 308
How Are Elections Conducted?	p. 310
Turning Out to Vote	p. 313
Legal Restrictions on Voting	p. 318
Campaigns, Nominations, and Elections: Why Are They Important Today?	p. 320
Making A Difference: Registering and Voting	p. 321
Key Terms	p. 322
Chapter Summary	p. 322
Selected Print And Media Resources	p. 323
E-Mocracy: Elections and the Web	p. 324
The Media and Cyberpolitics	p. 325
Chapter 10 Features
America's Security: Press Censorship in Times of Crisis	p. 331
Which Side Are You On? Are Internet Campaigns the Wave of the Future?	p. 341
Politics and Diversity: Racial Profiling in the Media	p. 349
What If ... The Media Were Truly Independent?	p. 326
The Media's Functions	p. 327
A History of the Media in the United States	p. 329
The Primacy of Television	p. 334
The Media and Political Campaigns	p. 335
The Media and the Government	p. 341
Government Regulation of the Media	p. 344
Bias in the Media	p. 347
The Media: Why Are They Important Today?	p. 348
Making A Difference: Being a Critical Consumer of the News	p. 350
Key Terms	p. 350
Chapter Summary	p. 351
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 351
E-Mocracy: The Media and the Internet	p. 352
Political Institutions
The Congress	p. 353
Chapter 11 Features
Politics and Diversity: Representation for the District of Columbia	p. 364
Which Side Are You On? Should Nonpartisan Commissions Take Charge of Redistricting?	p. 369
America's Security: The Spoils of War	p. 383
What If ... Members of Congress Were Required to Report Annually to Their Constituents?	p. 354
Why Was Congress Created?	p. 355
The Functions of Congress	p. 356
The Powers of Congress	p. 359
House-Senate Differences	p. 360
Congresspersons and the Citizenry: A Comparison	p. 362
Congressional Elections	p. 363
Congressional Apportionment	p. 366
Perks and Privileges	p. 370
The Committee Structure	p. 372
The Formal Leadership	p. 375
How Members of Congress Decide	p. 378
How a Bill Becomes Law	p. 379
How Much Will the Government Spend?	p. 381
The Congress: Why Is It Important Today?	p. 384
Making A Difference: Learning about Your Representatives	p. 385
Key Terms	p. 386
Chapter Summary	p. 386
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 387
E-Mocracy: Elections and the Web	p. 388
The President	p. 389
Chapter 12 Features
Politics and the Presidency: Senators as Presidential Candidates	p. 393
America's Security: Do We Need a Democratic World to Be Safe?	p. 399
Which Side Are You On? Should a President Ever Admit to Making a Mistake?	p. 408
What If ... There Were No Executive Privilege?	p. 390
Who Can Become President?	p. 391
The Process of Becoming President	p. 392
The Many Roles of the President	p. 394
The President as Party Chief and Superpolitician	p. 405
Special Uses of Presidential Power	p. 407
Abuses of Executive Power and Impeachment	p. 410
The Executive Organization	p. 412
The Vice Presidency	p. 415
The Presidency: Why Is It Important Today?	p. 418
Making A Difference: Communicating with the White House	p. 419
Key Terms	p. 420
Chapter Summary	p. 420
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 421
E-Mocracy: The Presidency and the Internet	p. 422
The Bureaucracy	p. 423
Chapter 13 Features
Politics and Subsidies: Amtrak-A Public Railroad, No Matter What the Cost	p. 429
America's Security: Unifying the Antiterrorism Effort	p. 433
Politics and the Bureaucracy: Administering Farm Subsidies	p. 447
What If ... The Public Graded Federal Bureaucracies?	p. 424
The Nature of Bureaucracy	p. 425
The Size of the Bureaucracy	p. 427
The Organization of the Federal Bureaucracy	p. 429
Staffing the Bureaucracy	p. 437
Modern Attempts at Bureaucratic Reform	p. 440
Bureaucrats as Politicians and Policymakers	p. 444
Congressional Control of the Bureaucracy	p. 447
The Bureaucracy: Why Is It Important Today?	p. 448
Making A Difference: What the Government Knows about You	p. 449
Key Terms	p. 449
Chapter Summary	p. 450
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 450
E-Mocracy: E-Government	p. 451
The Courts	p. 453
Chapter 14 Features
America's Security: Holding U.S. Citizens as "Enemy Combatants"	p. 462
Which Side Are You On? Is the Process of Confirming Judicial Nominees Too Political?	p. 470
Global View: When the Supreme Court Looks to Other Nations' Laws	p. 474
What If ... Supreme Court Justices Had to Campaign?	p. 454
The Common Law Tradition	p. 455
Sources of American Law	p. 456
The Federal Court System	p. 457
The Supreme Court at Work	p. 463
The Selection of Federal Judges	p. 466
Policymaking and the Courts	p. 470
What Checks Our Courts?	p. 475
The Judiciary: Why Is It Important Today?	p. 478
Making A Difference: Changing the Legal System	p. 479
Key Terms	p. 479
Chapter Summary	p. 480
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 480
E-Mocracy: Courts on the Web	p. 482
Public Policy
Domestic Policy	p. 483
Chapter 15 Features
Politics and Health Care: Health Care for Members of Congress	p. 491
Which Side Are You On? Should Welfare Mothers Work outside the Home?	p. 497
Global View: Day Care in Western Europe	p. 498
America's Security: Those Colored Alert Levels	p. 508
What If ... The National Parks Were Privatized?	p. 484
The Policymaking Process	p. 485
Health Care	p. 488
Poverty and Welfare	p. 494
Immigration	p. 499
Crime in the Twenty-First Century	p. 501
Environmental Policy	p. 508
Domestic Policy: Why Is It Important Today?	p. 515
Making A Difference: Environmental Trade-Offs	p. 516
Key Terms	p. 516
Chapter Summary	p. 517
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 518
E-Mocracy: The Internet and Domestic Policy	p. 519
Economic Policy	p. 521
Chapter 16 Features
Politics and Trade: The High Cost of Saving U.S. Jobs	p. 535
Politics and Economics: Outsourcing: A Political Hot-Button Issue	p. 538
Which Side Are You On? Should Social Security Be Partially Privatized?	p. 543
What If ... Every Adult Were Guaranteed a Job?	p. 522
Good Times, Bad Times	p. 523
Fiscal Policy	p. 526
Monetary Policy	p. 530
World Trade	p. 533
The Politics of Taxes	p. 539
The Social Security Problem	p. 541
Economic Policy: Why Is It Important Today?	p. 542
Making A Difference: Learning about Social Security	p. 544
Key Terms	p. 454
Chapter Summary	p. 545
Selected Print And Media Resources	p. 546
E-Mocracy: E-Commerce and Economic Policy	p. 546
Foreign Policy	p. 547
Chapter 17 Features
America's Security: Realism versus Idealism in Foreign Affairs	p. 552
Global View: China-The Next Superpower?	p. 559
Which Side Are You On? Should We Bring Back the Draft?	p. 572
What If ... North Korea Exploded a Nuclear Bomb?	p. 548
Facing the World: Foreign and Defense Policy	p. 549
Morality versus Reality in Foreign Policy	p. 550
Challenges in World Politics	p. 551
Who Makes Foreign Policy?	p. 562
Congress Balances the Presidency	p. 566
Domestic Sources of Foreign Policy	p. 567
The Major Foreign Policy Themes	p. 568
Foreign Policy: Why Is It Important Today?	p. 574
Making A Difference: Working for Human Rights	p. 575
Key Terms	p. 575
Chapter Summary	p. 576
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 577
E-Mocracy: Attacking Government Computer Systems	p. 578
Texas Politics
Texas History and Culture	p. 579
Chapter 18 Features
Politics and Culture: Tradition and Individualism in Texas	p. 594
Politics and Diversity: Hispanics versus Mexican Americans in Texas	p. 600
What If ... Texas Had an Official Language?	p. 580
Politics and Government: The Early Years	p. 581
Politics and Government: 1886-1945	p. 583
Politics and Government since World War II	p. 588
Texas Cultural Regions	p. 595
Cultural Diversity	p. 602
Texas History and Culture: Why Is It Important Today?	p. 604
Making A Difference: Learn More about Your Own Culture	p. 605
Key Terms	p. 605
Chapter Summary	p. 605
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 606
E-Mocracy: Cyberpolitics in Texas	p. 607
Recent Developments	p. 608
The Texas Constitution	p. 609
Chapter 19 Features
Which Side are You On? Was Reconstruction Truly a Disaster for Texas?	p. 615
Politics and Civil Liberties: Protecting the Homesteads of Bankrupt Texans	p. 625
What If ... Texas Used a More Typical State Constitution?	p. 610
The Texas Constitution in History	p. 611
The Texas Constitution Today	p. 616
Constitutional Topics	p. 624
Amending and Revising the Constitution	p. 628
The Texas Constitution Compared	p. 630
The Texas Constitution: Why Is It Important Today?	p. 631
Making A Difference: Amending the Texas Constitution	p. 632
Key Terms	p. 632
Chapter Summary	p. 633
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 633
E-Mocracy: Constitutions Online	p. 634
Recent Developments	p. 636
Texas Interest Groups	p. 637
Chapter 20 Features
Politics and Conflicts of Interest: Lobbying by Government Officials	p. 641
America's Security: How Do We Defend Homeland Security withotu Damaging the Border Economy?	p. 656
Politics and Diversity: The 10 Percent Rule for University Admissions in Texas	p. 667
What If ... Campaign Contributions Had to Be Reported within Twenty-Four Hours?	p. 638
What Are Interest Groups?	p. 639
Influencing Government	p. 644
Which Interests Are Powerful?	p. 646
Factors That Affect Interest Group Power	p. 649
Campaign Contributions	p. 655
The Regulation of Lobbying	p. 657
The Craft of Lobbying	p. 661
The Dilemma of School Finance	p. 664
Texas Interest Groups: Why Are They Important Today?	p. 666
Making a Difference: Getting Involved by Joining an Interest Group	p. 668
Key Terms	p. 668
Chapter Summary	p. 669
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 669
E-Mocracy: Texas Interest Groups on the Web	p. 670
Recent Developments	p. 671
Political Parties in Texas	p. 673
Chapter 21 Features
Politics and Diversity: The Republican Appeal to Hispanics	p. 686
What If ... The Redistricting Process in Texas Were Nonpartisan?	p. 674
Functions of Political Parties	p. 675
Characteristics of American Political Parties	p. 676
Development of the Texas Party System	p. 678
How the Party Machinery Is Organized in Texas	p. 687
A New Era of Republican Dominance	p. 691
Political Parties in Texas: Why Are They Important Today?	p. 693
Making a Difference: Grassroots Politics at the Precinct Level	p. 694
Key Terms	p. 694
Chapter Summary	p. 695
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 695
E-Mocracy: Texas Political Parties and the Internet	p. 696
Recent Developments	p. 698
Voting and Elections in Texas	p. 699
Chapter 22 Features
Global View: American Voter Turnout Compared with Turnout in Other Countries	p. 705
Which Side Are You On? Should Texas Change the Way It Elects Judges?	p. 722
Politics and Redistricting: The Republican Redistricting Coup of 2003	p. 729
What If ... Voting Were Required by Law?	p. 700
Political Participation	p. 701
Voter Turnout in the United States and Texas	p. 704
Primary, General, and Special Elections in Texas	p. 709
The Conduct and Administration of Elections	p. 716
Election Campaigns in Texas	p. 726
Texas Elections: Why Are They Important Today?	p. 733
Making a Difference: "Think Globally, Act Locally"	p. 734
Key Terms	p. 734
Chapter Summary	p. 735
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 735
E-Mocracy: All Those Elections	p. 736
Recent Developments	p. 737
The Texas Legislature	p. 739
Chapter 23 Features
Which Side Are You On? Should the Production of Horsemeat Be Legal in Texas?	p. 758
Politics and the Quorum: The Killer Bees and the Killer Wasps	p. 763
What If ... The Texas House of Representatives Were Organized by Political Party?	p. 740
The Limited Session	p. 741
Qualifications, Terms, and Compensation of Members	p. 742
Legislative Districts	p. 743
Who Can Become a Member of the Legislature?	p. 749
Organization of the Texas Legislature	p. 750
The Presiding Officers and the Legislative Committees	p. 754
The Calendar and the Floor	p. 760
How a Bill Becomes a Law	p. 766
Institutional Tools of Leadership	p. 769
The Texas Legislature: Why Is It Important Today?	p. 770
Making a Difference: Citizen Participation	p. 771
Key Terms	p. 771
Chapter Summary	p. 772
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 773
E-Mocracy: Find Your Legislators	p. 774
Recent Developments	p. 775
The Texas Executive Branch	p. 777
Chapter 24 Features
America's Security: Should Texas Recognize Identity Cards Issued by Mexico?	p. 786
Politics and Gubernatorial Influence: Regulating the Insurance Industry	p. 791
Politics and Administrative Law: The Department of Agriculture and the Pesticide Issue	p. 796
What If ... Texas Used the National Executive Branch as a Model?	p. 778
Structure and Politics of the Governor's Office	p. 779
The Governor's Powers of Persuasion	p. 782
The Governor as Chief Executive	p. 788
The Texas Bureaucracy	p. 793
The Bureaucracy and Public Policy	p. 799
Bureaucratic Accountability	p. 802
The Texas Executive: Why Is It Important Today?	p. 805
Making a Difference: Become a Smart Consumer of State Services	p. 806
Key Terms	p. 806
Chapter Summary	p. 807
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 807
E-Mocracy: Contacting the Governor	p. 808
Recent Developments	p. 809
The Texas Judiciary, Law, and Due Process	p. 811
Chapter 25 Features
Politics and Consumerism: The Issue of Frivolous Lawsuits	p. 816
Politics and Diversity: The Texas Rangers: A Controversial Tradition	p. 819
What If ... Texas Abolished the Death Penalty?	p. 812
Civil and Criminal Law	p. 813
Issues in Civil Law	p. 814
Issues and Elements in Criminal Law	p. 815
Due Process of Law	p. 822
Texas Court Organization	p. 827
Selection of Judges	p. 835
The Texas Courts: Why Are They Important Today?	p. 839
Making a Difference: Deal Intelligently with Law Enforcement Officers in Texas	p. 839
Key Terms	p. 840
Chapter Summary	p. 840
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 840
E-Mocracy: Filing Court Documents Online	p. 841
Recent Developments	p. 843
Local Government	p. 845
Chapter 26 Features
Politics and County Government: Loving County-Small Is Beautiful	p. 859
Politics and Education: Vouchers and Charter Schools in Texas	p. 869
What If ... Mayors and City Council Members in Texas Were Elected in Partisan Elections?	p. 846
Municipalities	p. 847
Counties	p. 857
Special Districts	p. 864
Independent School Districts	p. 867
Councils of Governments	p. 869
Local Government: Why Is It Important Today?	p. 871
Making a Difference: Involvement at the Local Level	p. 872
Key Terms	p. 872
Chapter Summary	p. 873
Selected Print and Media Resources	p. 873
E-Mocracy: Public Access on the Internet is Growing	p. 874
Recent Developments	p. 875
The Declaration of Independence	p. 1
How to Read Case Citations and Find Court Decisions	p. 3
Federalist Papers No. 10, No. 51, and No. 78	p. 4
Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court since 1900	p. 12
Party Control of Congress since 1900	p. 15
Presidents of the United States	p. 16
Spanish Equivalents for Important Terms in American Government	p. 18
Glossary	p. 1
Index	p. 1
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