Texas Politics, 5th Eidition (9781138842007)

The fifth iteration of this popular book is now expanded and updated to better suit the needs of a stand-alone Texas Government course. Jillson continues to approach the government of the Lone Star State from historical, developmental, and analytical perspectives, while offering students the most impartial, readable, and captivating portrayal of Texas government available today. Throughout the book, students are encouraged 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 current day practice and the alternatives possible through change and reform. This book helps instructors prepare 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 provides instructors and students an unmatched range of instructional aids and tools. Each chapter opens with an engaging vignette and a set of focus questions 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 bolded in the text, listed at the end of the chapter, and included in a glossary at the end of the book. Each chapter includes ‘Let’s Compare’ boxes to help students see how Texas sits alongside other states, and ‘Pro & Con’ boxes to bring conflicting political beliefs into sharper focus. Tables, figures, and images throughout highlight the major concepts, issues, individuals, and institutions discussed.