دانلود کتاب The state of Texas : government, politics, and policy

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Cover
The State of Texas: Government, Politics, and Policy
Brief Contents
Contents
About the Authors
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1 Introduction to Texas History and Politics
The Six Flags of Texas: From Spain to Statehood
Spain
France, Briefly
Spain Returns
The Republic of Mexico
The Republic of Texas
Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
The Twenty-Eighth State of the Union
The Confederate State of Texas
Civil War and Reconstruction: A Time of Transition
Post-Reconstruction Texas
Land
The Texas Economy: From Agriculture to Oil to the Service Sector
Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
Texas’s Economic Regions
Texas Politics: From Democrat to Republican
Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
Demographics: The Road to Majority-Minority
Urban and Rural
Majority-Minority
Religion in Texas
Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
Current Challenges: Texas Today
The Recent Recession
National Issues
Income and Poverty
Education
Immigration and In-Migration Today
In-Migration
Immigration
Texas Political Culture
Types of Political Culture
Social Conservatism, Classical Liberalism, Populism, and Progressivism
Conclusion
Summary
Key Terms
Notes
Chapter 2 The Texas State Constitution and the American Federal System
Principles of Constitutional Government
Characteristics Common to State Constitutions
Separation of Powers
Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
Bill of Rights
Supreme Law of the State
Evolution of the Texas Constitution: 1824–1876
Constitutions under the Republic of Mexico
The Republic of Texas Constitution of 1836
Statehood Constitution of 1845
The Civil War and Reconstruction Constitutions of 1861, 1866, and 1869
The Constitution of 1876
Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
Culture Drives Institutions
Important Sections of the Texas Constitution
Article 1: Bill of Rights
Article 2: The Powers of Government
Article 3: Legislative Department
Article 4: Executive Department
Article 5: Judicial Department
Additional Articles
Comparing the Structure of State Constitutions
Amending and Revising State Constitutions
Patterns of Constitutional Change
Amending the Texas Constitution
Criticisms of the Texas Constitution
Conclusion to the Texas Constitution
The American Federal System of Government
Constitutional Distribution of Powers
Division of Powers between National and State Governments
The “Necessary and Proper” Clause and the Tenth Amendment
Interstate Commerce Clause
Equal Protection and Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
Power to Tax and Spend to Promote the General Welfare of Citizens
Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
The Evolution of American Federalism
Relations between States in the Federal System
Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
Conclusion
Summary
Key Terms
Notes
Chapter 3 The Texas Legislature
The Structure and Size of the Texas Legislature
Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
General Characteristics of the Legislature
Sessions and Session Length
Salary
Staff and Facilities
Qualifications for Legislators and Member Demographics
Single-Member Versus Multimember Districts
Reapportionment and Redistricting Issues
Equity of Representation
Minority Representation
Political and Racial Gerrymandering
Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
Redistricting in 2001
2003 and the Texas Eleven
Redistricting in 2011 and Beyond
Getting Elected
Competition for House and Senate Seats
Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
Term Limits
Turnover in State Legislatures
Leadership Positions in the Texas Legislature
Speaker of the House
Lieutenant Governor
Committees in the House and Senate
Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
Functions
Lawmaking
Budget and Taxation
Oversight
Procedures
Formal Rules: How a Bill Becomes a Law
Major and Minor Calendars and Bills
Legislative Workload and Logjams
Informal Rules
Legislative Roles
Representational Roles
Partisan Roles
Legislative Professionalism versus Citizen Legislatures: Where Does Texas Stand?
Conclusion
Summary
Key Terms
Notes
Chapter 4 The Executive Department and the Office of the Governor of Texas
Qualifications
Formal Qualifications
Informal Qualifications
Race and Ethnicity
Women
Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
Wealth
Salary
Succession to Office and Acting Governor
Postgubernatorial Office
Removal from Office
Formal Powers of the Governor
Election of Other Statewide Executives
Office of the Attorney General
Comptroller of Public Accounts
Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
Commissioner of the General Land Office
Commissioner of Agriculture
The Texas Railroad Commission
The State Board of Education
Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
Tenure of Office
Governor’s Appointment Powers
Secretary of State
Commissioner for Health and Human Services
Office of State-Federal Relations
Adjutant General of the National Guard
Other Single-Head Agencies
Boards and Commissions
Appointment and Campaign Contributions
Removal Powers
Budgetary Powers
Legislative Powers
Governor’s Control over Party
Administrative Agencies of State Government
State Employees
Legislative Agencies
Legislative Budget Board
Texas Legislative Council
Legislative Audit Committee and State Auditor’s Office
Legislative Reference Library
Judicial Agencies
Judicial Powers
Ex Officio Boards and Commissions
Multi-Appointment Boards
Democratic Control and Bureaucratic Responsiveness
Sunset Review
Powers of the Texas Governor in Comparative Context
Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
Informal Powers
Roles
The Governor’s Staff
Conclusion
Key Terms
Summary
Notes
Chapter 5 The Court System in Texas
Court Decision Making
Judicial Federalism
The Structure of State Courts
Trial and Appellate Courts
Magistrate or Minor Courts
Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
County Courts
District Courts
Appellate Courts
Supreme Courts
Judicial Selection
Is There a Best System for Judicial Selection?
Election by the Legislature
Appointment by the Governor
Partisan Election
Nonpartisan Election
The Merit, or Missouri, Plan
Judicial Selection in Texas
Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
Familiar Names Can Skew Judicial Elections
Straight Ticket Voting
Campaign Contributions
Gender and Minority Representation in the Texas Judiciary
Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
The “Appointive-Elective” System in Texas
Removing and Disciplining Judges
Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
The Legal System
Grand Jury
Petit Jury
Crime and Punishment in Texas
Conclusion
Summary
Key Terms
Notes
Chapter 6 Local Governments in Texas
Federalism Revisited
Creatures of the State
General Law Cities and Home Rule
Incorporation: The Process of Creating a City
Annexation
Types of City Government
Council-Manager Government
Role of the Mayor
Role of the City Manager
Weaknesses of the Council-Manager Form
Mayor-Council Government
Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
Commission Form of Government
Weaknesses of the Commission Form of Government
Impact on the Evolution of Local Government
Municipal Elections
At-Large Election Systems
Single-Member District Election Systems
Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
Cumulative and Preferential Voting Systems
Nonpartisan Elections
Voter Turnout in Local Elections
Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
County Governments
The Structure of County Government
The County Commissioner’s Court
The County Sheriff
The County and District Attorneys
The County Tax Assessor/Collector
The County and District Clerk
The County Treasurer
The County Auditor
Weaknesses of County Government in Texas
Inability to Provide Urban Services
Lack of Ordinance Authority
Inequity of Financial Resources
Possible Reform of County Government
Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
Special District Governments
School Districts
Conclusion
Summary
Key Terms
Notes
Chapter 7 Voting and Political Participation in Texas
Political Participation
Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
Voting in Texas
Current Voting Requirements
Ongoing Controversies with Voting
Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
In Comparison with Other States
Voter Turnout in Texas
Explaining Voter Turnout
The Legacy of Restricted Ballot Access in Texas
Social and Economic Factors
Felony Conviction and Voting
Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
Party Competition
Other Factors Affecting Voter Turnout
Rationalist Explanations for Low Voter Turnout
Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
Other Forms of Political Participation
Conclusion
Summary
Key Terms
Notes
Chapter 8 Campaigns and Elections in Texas
Ballot Form
Ballot Access to the November General Election
Independent and Third-Party Candidates
Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
Party Caucus
Political Differences between Open and Closed Primary Systems
The Administration and Finance of Primary Elections
Special Elections
The Federal Voting Rights Act
Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
Absentee and Early Voting
The Changing Nature of Elections
Campaigns
The Role of the Media in Campaigns and Elections
Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
Political Consultants
Money in Campaigns
Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
Impact of Citizens United Decision
Conclusion
Summary
Key Terms
Notes
Chapter 9 Political Parties in Texas
How Parties Have Operated in the United States
Labor-Intensive Politics
Capital-Intensive Politics
Political Reforms and the Weakening of Political Parties
Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
Fifty States, Fifty Party Systems
The Strength of State Party Organizations
Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
Evolution of Political Parties in Texas
Politics of the Republic of Texas
Annexation and the Civil War Era
The One-Party Democratic Era in Texas
Party Realignment in Texas
The Beginning of Change
The Election of John Tower
The Election of Bill Clements
The “Conversion” and Election of Phil Gramm
The Move toward Parity with the Democrats
The One-Party Republican Era in Texas
The Current Party System in Texas
An Update on the Republicans
An Update on the Democrats
Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
Party Dealignment
Third-Party Movements
Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
Party Organization in Texas
Permanent Party Organization
The Precinct Chair
The County Chair
The County Executive Committee
The State Executive Committee
The State Chair
Temporary Party Organization
Precinct Convention
County or Senatorial District Convention
State Convention
Caucus and Primary Delegate Selection Systems
Primary versus Caucus
2008 Democratic Party Caucuses
Conclusion
Summary
Key Terms
Notes
Chapter 10 Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas
Interest Group Typology
Membership Organizations
Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
Nonmembership Organizations
Government Organizations
Techniques Used by Interest Groups
Lobbying
Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
Electioneering
Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
Public Relations: Public Education and Grassroots Lobbying
Litigation
Regulation of Interest Groups
Factors Influencing the Strength of Interest Groups
Leadership and Organization
Geographic Distribution
Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
Money
Economic Diversity
Political Party Competition
Professionalism of the State Legislature
Fragmented Government Structure
Conclusion
Summary
Key Terms
Notes
Chapter 11 Public Policy in Texas
Steps in the Policy-Making Process: The “Policy Cycle”
Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
Policy Liberalism Index
Public Policy Areas in Texas State Government
Regulatory Policy
Welfare Policy
Health Care Policy
Primary and Secondary Education in Texas
School District Financing
Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
High Stakes Test
Controversial Curriculum
Higher Education in Texas
Tuition and Fees
Curriculum and Degree Requirements
Higher Education Funds
Access to Higher Education
Social Policy
Firearms Policies
Gay Rights
Abortion Policies
Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
Sex Education
Immigration Policy
Water Policy
Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
Veteran Policy
Conclusion
Summary
Key Terms
Notes
Chapter 12 The Criminal Justice System in Texas
Elements of the Criminal Justice System
Law Enforcement and Policing
Criminal Law and Civil Law
Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
Criminal Justice Policy
Juvenile Justice
Government’s Duties to Minors
Procedures Involving Juveniles
Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
Correction and Rehabilitation
The State Prison System
Managing the Prison Population
Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
Private Prisons
Local Government Jails
The “Three R’s”: Recidivism, Rehabilitation, and Reform
The Death Penalty
Texas, the Death Penalty, and the Harris County Factor
Poverty and Access to Legal Services
Problems and Reform: Implications for Public Policy
Overcriminalization
Sentencing Reform
Police Militarization
Civil Asset Forfeiture
Mental Illness in Prison
Fine and Fee Practices
Suicide
Technology and Crime
Exoneration
Race, Gender, and the Criminal Justice System
Misconduct in the Justice System
Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
Conclusion
Summary
Key Terms
Notes
Chapter 13 Financing State Government
Why Do Governments Provide Services to Citizens?
Characteristics of Public Goods
Types of Public Goods
Social Goods
Toll Goods
Common-Pool Goods
Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
Sources of State Revenue
Per Capita Taxes
State Taxes in Texas
Equity in Taxes
Regressive and Progressive Taxes
Tax Shifting
Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
Local Taxes
Comparison of State and Local Tax Revenues
Nontax Revenue Sources
The Budget “Fix”
Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
Expenditures: Where the Money Goes
Continuing Issues in State Finance in Texas
Tax Structure
Is There a Personal Income Tax in the Future for Texas?
Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
Conclusion
Summary
Key Terms
Notes
Glossary
Index