Texas Politics and Government: Ideas, Institutions, and Policies

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

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ISBN: 9780321052742 | 0321052749
Cover: Paperback
Copyright: 8/1/2000

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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.

Preface

xiii

PART ONE The Context for Texas Politics and Government

Studying Texas Politics and Government

(24)

Scenario: The Government Requirement for College Students

(2)

Introduction

(1)

Politics and Government

(1)

Texas Index: Measures of Democracy in the States

(1)

The Central Role of Ideas: The American Creed

(1)

Analyzing Politics

(2)

Individualism

(1)

Liberty

(1)

Equality

(1)

Analyzing Government

(6)

Democracy

(5)

Constitutionalism

(1)

Analyzing Political Change

(6)

The Ideal-Reality Gap

(1)

Responses to the Ideal-Reality Gap

(4)

The Rest of the Story

(4)

The Ideological and Socioeconomic Context for Texas Politics and Government

(32)

Scenario: The Professor and Affirmative Action

(2)

Introduction

(1)

Texas Index: The Socioeconomic Context in the States

(1)

The Ideological Context

(11)

Ideas and Texas Politics: The Texan Creed

(5)

The Acquisition of Political Ideas

(2)

The Texan Creed and Political Ideology

(4)

The Peoples of Texas

(10)

Native Americans

(3)

Hispanics

(1)

African Americans

(1)

Asian Americans

(1)

Anglos

(1)

The Contemporary Population of Texas

(3)

The Economy of Texas

(8)

Cotton

(1)

Cattle

(1)

Petroleum

(1)

The Contemporary Economy

(6)

The Legal Context: The Constitution and Federalism

(36)

Scenario: A New Constitution for Texas

(2)

Introduction

(1)

Texas Index: Constitutions and Federalism in the States

(1)

The Texas Constitution

(23)

The Purposes of a Constitution

(3)

History of Texas Constitutions

(12)

Constitutional Revision

(6)

The 1876 Constitution---Good or Bad?

(1)

The Constitution and Political Change

(1)

The Constitution and Democracy

(1)

Federalism

(9)

Types of Government

(1)

The Evolution of Federalism

(3)

Federalism and Political Change

(1)

Federalism and Democracy

(4)

PART TWO The Processes of Texas Politics

Political Parties in Texas

(34)

Scenario: The Challenge to Democratic Party Dominance in a Time of Transition

(3)

Introduction

(1)

Texas Index: Political Parties in the States

(1)

Political Party Organization

(11)

Formal Organization

(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

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Texas Politics and Government: Ideas, Institutions, and Policies

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Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials