STUDY QUESTIONS-TEXAS POLITICS

UNIT ONE

I. Political Culture

1. What do we mean by political culture?  Give several examples of the political culture of Texas.

2. The authors describe modern political history as being dominated by classical liberalism, social conservatism, and populism.  What do we mean by each of these?  Describe the practical effect of these concepts in Texas culture today.

3. Define political socialization.  Identify several agents of political socialization.

4. Describe the phases of the Texas economy from the 1820’s to the present.

5. Describe recent trends in the ethnicity of the population of Texas.  What implications do these trends suggest for Texas government and politics?

6. What do we mean by majority-minority states?

 

II. The Constitution

1.Discuss the differences between the different Texas Constitutions throughout our history as a Mexican state, independent nation, US state, and Confederate state.

2. Discuss the historical influences which led to the Constitution of 1876.

3. Describe the form and organization of government established under the Constitution of 1876.

4. Explain the process by which we can amend the Texas Constitution. Discuss the number and types of amendments that have been proposed and adopted by Texans over the years.

5. Describe some criticisms of the current Texas Constitution.

6. Discuss reasons for the failure of Texas to revise its Constitution despite several efforts in recent years to do so.

 

III. Local Government

1. Describe the organization of Texas counties including the main responsibilities of each of the county elected officials.  What are some weaknesses of county government.  What are some suggestions for improvement?

2. Discuss and distinguish between the main types of city government found in Texas.

3. Evaluate the differences between revenues and expenditures of Texas counties and those of Texas cities.

4. Explain what we mean by special districts. Give examples and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of special districts.

5. Describe the different types of election systems found in Texas cities.

 

UNIT TWO

IV. Interest Groups

1. Explain what we mean by interest groups.

2. Describe and give examples of the various types of interest groups.

3. Describe the techniques used by interest groups to achieve their goals.

 

V. Political Parties

1. Distinguish between interest groups and political parties.

2. Discuss the roles that political parties play in the operation of our political and government systems.

3. Describe the history of political parties in Texas with regard to periods of dominance and changing alliances.

4. Explain and give examples from Texas history of what we mean by dealignment, realignment, and critical elections.

5. What do we mean by “yellow dog” and “blue dog”?

6. Describe the factors that contributed to the decline of the Democratic Party and the rise of the Republican Party in recent Texas politics.

 

VI. Elections

1. Explain the difference between closed and open primaries.  What type of primary do we use in Texas?

2. Describe the formal requirements for voting in Texas.

3. Describe recent trends in party identification of Texans since 1952.

4. Explain several of the barriers to voting which were used in Texas and/or other Southern states to limit voting.  Describe how they were eliminated.

5. Compare voter turnout for Presidential and midterm elections.

6. Compare and contrast Texas and US campaign finance laws.

 

UNIT THREE

VII. Legislative Branch

1. Describe the legislative branch of Texas Government in terms of formal bodies, membership requirements, election process, terms of office, formal and informal qualifications, and compensation.

2. Explain what we mean by redistricting and describe the process as it operates in Texas.

3. Identify the presiding officers of the Texas House and Senate including how they are chosen and their powers.

4. Describe the process by which a bill becomes a law.

 

VIII. Executive Branch

1. Describe the qualifications, both formal and informal, of Texas Governors. 

2. Describe, using examples, the powers which belong to the Governor of Texas. How do these compare with the powers of governors of the other states.

3. Explain what we mean by “plural executive”.  Name the offices (and the elected officials holding them) which comprise the plural executive in Texas.  For each office or body explain their major powers and responsibilities.

 

IX. Bureaucracy

1. Explain the five steps in the decision-making process.

2. Describe the powers of the legislature over the bureaucracy.

3. Describe the relationship between interest groups and the bureaucracy in the decision-making process.

4. Describe the ways in which the governor can influence the bureaucracy.  

 

UNIT FOUR

X. Judicial System

1. Describe the organization of the court system in Texas.

2. Discuss the process by which we choose our judges in Texas including criticisms of the process and proposals for reform of judicial selection.

 

XI. Political Economy

 1. Define fiscal policy and describe the different types of revenue sources available for governments.

 2. List and explain the major sources of revenue for Texas state government.  How do these compare and contrast with the revenue sources for Texas cities and counties?

3. Describe the problems associated with Texas’ reliance on the sales tax as a major source of state revenue.

4. Describe the major categories of expenditures by the Texas state government.

 

 

 

 

 

 

TERMS-TEXAS POLITICS

 

UNIT ONE

 

I. Political Culture

 

classical liberalism                  party identification          populism                       realignment

majority minority state                         political ideology            progressive tax              social conservatism

                                             political socialization

 

II. The Constitution

 

Bill of Rights                          federalism                     representative democracy          

checks and balances                                                  separation of powers

 

III. Local Government

 

general law cities                    home rule cities             majority-minority states  nonpartisan elections special districts

 

UNIT TWO

 

IV. Interest Groups

 

elitism                                    free rider                       lobbyist                         in-house lobbyist

grass roots lobbying                pluralism                       political action committee

 

V. Political Parties

 

classical liberalism                  party system                 realignment                   yellow dog Democrat

critical election                       populism                       social conservative        blue dog Democrat

non-partisan                           precinct                         split ticket voting

 

VI. Elections

 

absentee voting                      general election             open primary                 single member districts

at large representation             grandfather clause         poll tax                                  straight ticket voting

ballot access                          information costs           primary election             transaction costs

closed primary                        literacy tests                 proportional representation

early voting                            non partisan election      run off primary               white primary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNIT THREE

 

VII. Legislative Branch

 

appropriations bill                    filibuster                        joint committee              regular session

bicameral                               gerrymandering              line item veto                 special session

biennial sessions                    impeachment                 pigeonhole                     standing committee

calendars committee               incumbent                     referendum                    veto

conference committee             initiative                                    redistricting                  

 

VIII. Executive Branch

 

bully pulpit                                        interim appointment            plural executive                   Speaker

constitutent                                       line item veto                        pocket veto                           staggered terms

impeachment                                   Lt. Governor                         power to persuade              veto override

 

IX. Bureaucracy

 

block grant                                        iron triangle                          revolving door      unfunded federal mandates

categorical grant                              legislative oversight            sunset review      

entitlement

 

UNIT FOUR

 

X. Judicial System

 

administrative law                           civil law                                  criminal law                          original jurisdiction

adversarial system                          common law                         felony                                     precedent

appellate jurisdiction                      concurrent jurisdiction        misdemeanor                       statutory law

                                                            constitutional law                 Missouri Plan                                      

 

XI. Political Economy

 

ad valorem tax                                 excise tax                              exurb                                      fiscal policy

progressive tax                                                regressive tax