Lone Star Politics

Learn how Texas politics affects public policy.

Lone Star Politics emphasizes public policy and the decisions of political actors in its approach to studying contemporary Texas politics. Using the best scholarship, current examples, and historical context, the authors examine how government and politics respond and adapt to the changes in the Texas political landscape. 

Fully revised to meet the GOVT2305/2306 curriculum changes, Lone Star Politics, 2/e contains 14 chapters–a full semester’s worth of Texas Government content. The second edition features the same pedagogical features students currently enjoy in American Government textbooks, extending their learning experience from the 2305 course seamlessly into 2306. 

MyPoliSciLab is an integral part of the Goldstein program. Key learning applications include Texas Tribune Videos, Texas Explorer activities and state specific Simulations. MyPoliSciLab for Lone Star Politics makes reading the textbook a greater opportunity for analyzing current events, thinking critically about politics, and participating in politics.

A better teaching and learning experience

This program will provide a better teaching and learning experience–for you and your students. Here’s how:

• Personalize Learning– MyPoliSciLab is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment program. It helps students prepare for class and instructors gauge individual and class performance.
• Explore Concepts and Current Events–Examines the past, present, and future of Texas politics.
• Improve Critical Thinking– Pedagogy throughout the text supports active learning of key themes.
• Engage Students– A new design simplifies the presentation of content to facilitate print and digital reading experiences.
• Emphasize Learning Outcomes–In MyPoliSciLab, study plans based on book-specific learning objectives give students follow-up reading, video, and multimedia activities for further practice.
• Support Instructors–A full set of supplements, including MyPoliSciLab, provides instructors with all the resources and support they need.  

Paul Benson is chair of the government department at Tarrant County College - NW, where he has taught for 25 years.  He teaches Texas and US government, as well as an occasional US History course.  He has taught online government courses for over a dozen years.  He has delivered several professional development seminars on “Teaching Texas Government,” and speaks regularly to local civic and community groups.  A former journalist and political consultant, he has an insider’s insight into the Texas political process. 

Tony Giardino currently teaches Texas Government, American National Government, Public Administration and Policy and Judicial Process. A 30-year police veteran, he also works as a police administrator, specializing in policy development, personnel selection, and training.  As Program Manager for the Texas Police Chief's Association Best Practices Recognition Program, he regularly teaches Criminal Procedure and Search and Seizure at area police academies.  Tony's community activities include technical policy writing and speaking and consulting for various community, civic, and non-profit organizations. 

David Clinkscale is a fifth generation Texan who has taught at Tarrant County College for thirty-six years, serving as a department coordinator and department chair.  He attended (then) Tarrant County Junior College and Southwest Texas State University, from which he graduated with a double major in government and history.  He completed his graduated work in political science and history at the University of Missouri.  Active in the Texas Community College Teachers Association, including a term as president, he has been involved in many aspects of college governance at TCC. 

1) Brief Table of Contents

2) Full Table of Contents

1) Brief Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Texas Society and Political Culture
Chapter 2: Federalism and the Texas Constitution
Chapter 3: Voting and Elections in Texas
Chapter 4: Political Parties in Texas
Chapter 5: Interest Groups in Texas Politics
Chapter 6: The Media and Public Opinion in Texas
Chapter 7: The Legislative Process in Texas Politics
Chapter 8: The Governor in Texas
Chapter 9: The Plural Executive and the Bureaucracy in Texas
Chapter 10: The Texas Courts System
Chapter 11: Local Government in Texas
Chapter 12: Public Policy in Texas
Chapter 13: Criminal Justice Policy in Texas
Chapter 14: Texas Budgetary Policy
 

2) Full Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Texas Society and Political Culture 

The Conceptual Pieces

The Historical Pieces

The Geographic Pieces

The Economic Pieces

The Demographic Pieces

Putting it Together: The Picture of Texas

Chapter 2: Federalism and the Texas Constitution

Federalism

National Gains

State Constitutions

The Constitutions of Texas

The 1876 Constitution

Constitutional Revision

Chapter 3: Voting and Elections in Texas

A History of Voting Rights

Voting in Texas: Qualifications and Registration

Turnout in Texas

Types of Elections

Campaigning

Chapter 4: Political Parties in Texas

Political Parties

Party Structure

Party Organization

The Democratic Party

The Republican Party

Party Politics in the New Millenium

Partnership in Texas Governance

Chapter 5: Interest Groups in Texas Politics

The Roles of Interest Groups

The Types of Interest Groups

The Methods of Interest Groups

Money and Interest Groups

The Iron Triangle

Interest Groups and You

Chapter 6: The Media and Public Opinion in Texas

Texas Newspapers

Radio

Television

The Mainstream Media and Political Coverage in Texas

Public Opinion and Polling

Chapter 7: The Legislative Process in Texas Politics

The Legislature in Texas

Apportionment

The Presiding Officers

The Committee System

How a Bill Becomes a Law

The Legislature in the Political Arena

Chapter 8: The Governor in Texas

Qualifications, Term, and Salary

Executive Powers

Legislative Powers

Judicial Powers

Informal Powers

Options for Reform

Chapter 9: The Plural Executive and the Bureaucracy in Texas

A Deliberate Division of Power

Elected and Appointed Officials

The Bureaucracy

Texas Boards and Commissions

The Sunset Advisory Commission

Chapter 10: The Texas Courts System

The Texas Court System

Two Types of Courts

The Court’s Role in Public Policy Making

Selection of Judges

The Call for Judicial Reform

Chapter 11: Local and County Governments and Special Districts in Texas

Municipal Government

Municipal Elections

Municipal Finance

County Government

Special Districts

Chapter 12: Public Policy in Texas

Public Policy

The Policy-making Model

Nonfiscal Policy

The Texas Voter ID Debate

Chapter 13: Criminal Justice Policy in Texas

Measuring Crime

Capital Punishment

Law Enforcement

Due Process

Chapter 14: Finance and Budgeting in Texas

Constraints on Budgeting

The Budget-Making Process

State Taxes

Non-Tax Revenue

The Big Three Expenditures

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.