Texas Politics, 5th Eidition (9781138842007)

The latest iteration of this popular text has now been expanded and updated to better suit the requirements of a standalone Texas Government course. Jillson continues to approach the politics of the Lone Star State from historical, developmental, and analytical perspectives, while providing students with the most impartial, readable, and captivating portrayal of Texas government currently available. Throughout the book students are motivated to link the origins and development of governance and politics in Texas–from the Texas Constitution, to party competition, to the role and powers of the Governor–to its present-day practice and the alternatives possible through change and reform. This text aids instructors in preparing their students to comprehend the origin and development of the Texas Constitution, the structure and powers of state and local government in Texas, how Texas fits into the U.S. federal system, as well as political participation, the electoral process, and public policy in Texas. Texas Government offers instructors and students an unparalleled array of pedagogical aids and tools. Each chapter commences with an engaging vignette and a set of focus inquiries to orient readers to the learning objectives at hand and concludes with a chapter summary, a list of key terms, review questions, suggested readings, and web resources. Key terms are emphasized in the text, listed at the end of the chapter, and included in a glossary at the end of the book. Each chapter contains ‘Let’s Explore’ boxes to help students see how Texas compares to other states, and ‘Pro & Con’ boxes to bring conflicting political beliefs into sharper focus. Tables, figures, and images throughout highlight the major ideas, issues, individuals, and institutions discussed.