Known for the extremely student-friendly, jargon-free style of the two books from which it was made, the new American and Texas Government: Policy and Politics introduces the essentials of American and Texas government in a way that any student can understand.

For the first time, Tannahill’s American Government and Texas Government are offered together in one comprehensive and accessible text. This new version features the same public policy emphasis that shows students the impact that government has on their lives, and offers the wealth of useful study aids and exercises to engage students in the course material and encourage them to become active participants in their government. This new edition is published as a Longman Study Edition and therefore contains a battery of chapter tests for student study and practice. It also offers the latest coverage of issues in both American and Texas government, including the results of the 2006 midterm elections, immigration reform, and the challenge posed by nuclear programs in Iran and North Korea.

PART I: AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Introduction Government, Politics, and the Policy-Making Process

The Importance of Government

Government and Politics

The Public Policy Approach

Chapter 1 A Changing America in a Changing World

Political Culture

The International Environment

The Demographic Environment

The Economic Environment

Conclusion: The Cultural, International, and Socioeconomic Context for Policymaking

Chapter 2 The American Constitution

The Background of the Constitution

Constitutional Principles

The Living Constitution

The Constitution, Politics, and Public Policy

Conclusion: The Constitutional Environment for Policymaking

Chapter 3 The Federal System

The Constitutional Basis of Federalism

Federal Grant Programs

Conclusion: Federalism and Public Policy

Chapter 4 Public Opinion

Political Socialization

Measuring Public Opinion

Political Knowledge

Support for Democratic Principles

Political Trust and Political Legitimacy

Political Efficacy

Political Philosophy

Conclusion: Public Opinion and Public Policy

Chapter 5 Political Participation

Forms of Participation

Explaining Participation

Patterns of Participation

Trends in Voter Turnout

Nonvoters

Participation Rates in Comparative Perspective

Participation Bias

Conclusion: Political Participation and Public Policy

Chapter 6 The Media

The Media Landscape

Government Regulation of the new media

Covering the news media biases

Conclusion: the media and public policy

Chapter 7 Interest Groups

Types of Interest Groups

Interest Group Tactics

The Strength of Interest Groups

Conclusion: Interest Groups and Public Policy

Chapter 8 Political Parties

The Party System

Party Organization

The History of Parties in America

The Party Balance

Voting Patterns

Issue Orientation

Divided Government

Conclusion: Political Parties and Public Policy

Chapter 9 Elections

Types of Elections

Election Districts and Redistricting

Election Campaigns

Congressional Elections

Presidential Elections

The Voters Decide

Conclusion: Elections and Public Policy

Chapter 10 Congress

Bicameralism

Membership

Organization

The Legislative Process

Analyzing the Legislative Process

Conclusion: Congress and Public Policy

Chapter 11 The Presidency

The Constitutional Presidency

The Development of the Modern Presidency

The Organization of the Presidency

Theories of Presidential Leadership

Presidential Popularity

The Presidency in Context

Conclusion: The Presidency and Public Policy

Chapter 12 The Federal Bureaucracy

Organization of the Bureaucracy

Personnel

Rulemaking

Politics and Administration

Subgovernments and Issue Networks

Conclusion: The Federal Bureaucracy and Public Policy

Chapter 13 The Federal Courts

Judicial Policymaking

Political History of the Supreme Court

The Federal Court System

Power, Politics, and the Courts

Conclusion: The Courts and Public Policy

Chapter 14 Economic Policymaking

The Goals of Economic Policy

Tax Revenues

Budget Deficits and Surpluses

Expenditures

Fiscal Policymaking

Monetary Policymaking

Conclusion: Economic Policymaking

Chapter 15 Regulatory Policymaking

The History of Government Regulation in America

The Scope of Regulation

The Pros and Cons of Regulation

Conclusion: Regulatory Policymaking

Chapter 16 Civil Liberties Policymaking

The Constitutional Basis of Civil Liberties Policymaking

Civil Liberties Issues and Policies

Conclusion: Civil Liberties Policymaking

Chapter 17 Civil Rights Policymaking

The Constitutional Basis of Civil Rights Policymaking

Civil Rights Issues and Policies

Conclusion: Civil Rights Policymaking

Chapter 18 Foreign and Defense Policymaking

The International Community

The Ends and Means of American Foreign and Defense Policy

The History of American Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy

Defense Policy

Conclusion: Foreign and Defense Policymaking

PART II: TEXAS GOVERNMENT

chapter 18 The People, Economy, and Political Culture of Texas

The People of Texas

The Texas Economy

Political Culture

Conclusion: The Socioeconomic Context of Policymaking

Chapter 19 Texas Contitution

State Constitutions

Background of the Texas Constitution

Constitutional Convention of 1875

Overview of the Texas Constitution

Constitutional Change

Individual Rights and the Texas Constitution

Conclusion: The Constitutional Context of Policymaking in Texas

Chapter 20 The Federal Context of Texas Policymaking

Role of the States in the Federal System

States, the Courts, and the Constitution

States and Federal Law

Federal Grant Programs

Conclusion: The Federal Context of Policymaking in Texas

Chapter 21 Political Participation

Voting Rights and Minority Participation

Participation in Texas Politics

Conclusion: Participation and Policymaking

Chapter 22 Interest Groups

Interest Groups In Texas Politics

Interest Group Tactics

Conclusion: Interest Groups and Policymaking

Chapter 23 Political Parties

The Party System

Party Organization

History of the Texas Party System

The Party Balance

Voting Patterns

Interest Group-Political Party Alliances

Issue Orientation

The Impact of Partisan Change

The Future of Party Politics in Texas

Conclusion: Political Parties and Policymaking

Chapter 24 Elections

The Long Ballot

Types of Elections

Election Districts

Redistricting

Money

Campaigns

The Voters Decide

Conclusion: Elections and Policymaking

Chapter 25 The Texas Legislature

Structure

Membership

Organization

The Legislative Process

Legislative Policymaking

Conclusion: The Legislature and the Policymaking Process

Chapter 26 Executive Branch

The Governor

The Executive Bureaucracy

Politics and Administration

Conclusion: The Executive Branch and the Policymaking Process

Chapter 27 Judicial Branch

Types of Legal Disputes

Court Procedures

The Texas Court System

Judges

Judicial Selection

Conclusion: The Judicial Branch and the Policymaking Process

Chapter 28 City Government

Legal Status of Texas Cities

Forms of City Government

Election Systems

Public Policies in Texas Cities

City Politics in Texas

Conclusion: City Government and Policymaking

Chapter 29 Counties, School Districts, and Special Districts

County Government

School Districts

Special Districts

Conclusion: Local Government and Public Policy

Chapter 30 State Budget Policy

Revenues

Expenditures

The Budget Process

Conclusion: Budgetary Policymaking

The Declaration of Independence

The Constitution of the United States of America

Amendments to the Constitution

Choosing the President

Glossary

Photo Credits

Index

** Each chapter also features Learning Objectives and Key Terms.

Text Concludes with Multiple Choice Practice Tests for All Chapters**

This item has been upgraded to American and Texas Government: Policy and Politics, 10th Edition.

American and Texas Government: Policy and Politics (Longman Study Edition), 9th Edition

Additional Course Materials

Description

Table of Contents