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:
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Personalize Learning– MyPoliSciLab is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment program. It helps students prepare for class and instructors gauge individual and class performance.
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Explore Concepts and Current Events–Examines the past, present, and future of Texas politics.
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Improve Critical Thinking– Pedagogy throughout the text supports active learning of key themes.
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Engage Students– A new design simplifies the presentation of content to facilitate print and digital reading experiences.
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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.
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Support Instructors–A full set of supplements, including MyPoliSciLab, provides instructors with all the resources and support they need.
Note: MyPoliSciLab does not come automaticaly packaged with this text.
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.
In this Section: 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
Other versions by this Author