American and Texas Government, Policy and Politics (Heftet (myke permer))

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. Neal 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 2008 elections, immigration reform, and the challenge posed by nuclear programs in Iran and North Korea.

PART I: AMERICAN GOVERNMENT Introduction Government, Politics, and the Policymaking 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 Nonvoters Trends in Voter Turnout Participation Rates in Comparative Perspective Increasing Voter Turnout Participation Bias Conclusion: Political Participation and Public Policy Chapter 6 The Media The Media Landscape Government Regulation of the News Media Covering the News Media Biases Conclusion: The Media and Public Policy Chapter 7 Interest Groups Why People Join 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 Political Cycles and Party Realignment Party Identification: Democrats, Republicans, and Independents 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 Conclusion: Congress and Public Policy Chapter 11 The Presidency The Constitutional Presidency Presidential Powers Two Presidencies Thesis 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 Government Expenditures Fiscal Policymaking Monetary Policymaking Conclusion: Economic Policymaking Chapter 15 Civil Liberties Policymaking The Constitutional Basis of Civil Liberties Policymaking Civil Liberties Issues and Policies Conclusion: Civil Liberties Policymaking Chapter 16 Civil Rights Policymaking The Constitutional Basis of Civil Rights Policymaking Civil Rights Issues and Policies Conclusion: Civil Rights Policymaking Chapter 17 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 Constitution 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 System and the Policy Process 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 Administrative Oversight 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 Chapter 31 Criminal Justice Crime Statistics Criminal Prosecution Process Capital Punishment Juvenile Justice Corrections Conclusion: Criminal-Justice Policymaking