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Texas Politics Today, 19th Edition

Mark P. Jones, Ernest Crain, Morhea Lynn Davis, Christopher Wlezein, Elizabeth N. Flores

  • {{checkPublicationMessage('Published', '2021-07-08T00:00:00+0000')}}
Starting At $77.95 See pricing and ISBN options
Texas Politics Today 19th Edition by Mark P. Jones/Ernest Crain/Morhea Lynn Davis/Christopher Wlezein/Elizabeth N. Flores

Overview

Delivering unparalleled coverage of Texas institutions, policies and politics, Jones/Maxwell/Crain/Davis/Wlezien/Flores' TEXAS POLITICS TODAY, 19th edition, combines a comparative approach with tightly integrated learning objectives and questions addressing the Texas GOVT2306 Core Objectives. The text reveals the inner workings of Texas elites, interest groups, campaign megadonors and policymakers. Stimulating critical thinking and civic participation, it covers the latest developments in Texas' changing demographics, Latino politics, political polarization, legislative rules changes, districting, gerrymandering alternatives, interest groups and lobby regulations, voting obstacles and criminal justice reforms. "Texas Insiders" and "Politics in Practice" features illustrate how real-world politics operate in Texas -- closing the gap between theory and practice. Also available: MindTap.

Mark P. Jones

Mark P. Jones, Ph.D., is the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy's Fellow in Political Science, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies and a professor in the political science department at Rice University. He is also a senior research fellow at the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs. His articles have appeared in publications such as the American Journal of Political Science, the Journal of Politics, Legislative Studies Quarterly, Texas Monthly, The Hill and the Texas Tribune. Jones is among the most quoted commentators on Texas politics in state and national media, and his research on the Texas Legislature and on public opinion and elections in Texas is widely cited by media outlets and political campaigns. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University and his doctoral degree from the University of Michigan.

Ernest Crain

Ernest Crain did his graduate work at the University of Texas at Austin, spent 35 years teaching Texas government at San Antonio College and now lives in Montgomery County, Texas. He has co-authored Understanding Texas Politics; Politics in Texas: An Introduction to Texas Politics; The Challenge of Texas Politics: Text with Readings and American Government; and Politics Today: Texas Edition. His special areas of interest include party competition, comparative state politics and Texas public policy.

Morhea Lynn Davis

M. Lynn Davis is a professor of government at El Paso Community College, where she has served as Blackboard trainer and mentor, faculty senator, government discipline coordinator and on numerous faculty committees. A grant writer and a very active community volunteer, she has consulted for and participated in many political campaigns. Her published articles range in topics from the current political environment to the viability of primaries and caucuses in today's election processes. Davis has a Master of Arts from the University of Texas at El Paso, majoring in both organizational behavior and political science.

Christopher Wlezein

Christopher Wlezien, Ph.D., is Hogg Professor of Government at the University of Texas at Austin. After receiving his doctorate from the University of Iowa in 1989, he taught at Oxford University, the University of Houston and Temple University. Over the years, Wlezien has published widely on elections, public opinion and public policy. His books include Degrees of Democracy, The Timeline of Presidential Elections, and Who Gets Represented? In addition to founding a journal, he has served on numerous editorial boards, established different institutes, advised governments and other organizations, held visiting positions at many universities around the world, received various research grants and won a number of awards for his research and teaching.

Elizabeth N. Flores

Elizabeth N. Flores is a senior professor of political science at Del Mar College. She teaches courses on national government, Texas government and Mexican-American politics. She also serves as program coordinator for the Mexican-American Studies Program. Her honors include the 2014 League of United Latin American Citizens Council Educator of the Year Award, the 2013 Del Mar College Dr. Aileen Creighton Award for Teaching Excellence, and a 1998 Excellence Award from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development. Flores earned a Master of Arts in political science at the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Arts in political science (magna cum laude) at St. Mary's University.
  • Coverage of the 2021 Legislative session, including legislative Responses to COVID-19 and the budget crisis, the election of Speaker Phelan, 2021 Committee Assignments, the New 5/9 Rule in the Senate, and more. Also explored are the latest developments in districting and the evolution of partisan polarization.
  • The 19th edition helps students analyze the results of the 2020 election, recent court decisions, COVID-19 pandemic politics and current policy issues such as the George Floyd Act and marijuana legalization. Attention is also paid to the 2021 winter storm and its effects. The chapters focusing on elections, parties and interest groups emphasize the ideals of democracy -- challenging students to evaluate whether these ideals are realized in real-world practice.
  • Reflecting the latest developments and emerging trends, the new edition offers extensive discussions of ideology and political polarization as well as improved coverage of marginalized, underrepresented groups in terms of political participation, socialization, influence and representation among elected officials. Thoroughly revised, the political parties chapter covers Republican Party factionalism and the Democratic Party's changing coalition of supporters. Chapter 1 highlights the latest developments in Texans' struggle for equal rights, and Chapter 10 explores criminal justice reform.
  • The 19th edition helps students analyze the results of the 2020 election, recent court decisions, COVID-19 pandemic politics and current policy issues such as the George Floyd Act and marijuana legalization. The chapters focusing on elections, parties and interest groups emphasize the ideals of democracy -- challenging students to evaluate whether these ideals are realized in real-world practice. The local government chapter offers expanded coverage of the forms of municipal and special district government.
  • Brand new "Politics in Practice" essays appear in each chapter, illustrating Texas politics in action through exclusive essays written by a wide range of officeholders and political activists. This feature closes the gap between theoretical themes and the actual practice of Texas politics -- putting a face on the political system and giving students an inside view of how it operates. Essay authors include the governor, the comptroller, Texas Supreme Court justices, legislators, lobbyists, campaign consultants, political activists and local government executives.
  • Carefully written photo, figure and table captions succinctly summarize the major takeaway messages. A critical analysis question following each caption helps students apply chapter concepts to real-world issues. In addition, process-oriented charts walk readers step-by-step through political processes.
  • Popular "How Does Texas Compare?" features put Texas policies and institutions into perspective by comparing them with the other 50 states. All-new discussions highlight women in the Legislature, ease of voting, lobby regulation and the revolving door, legislative districting and alternatives to gerrymandering, capital punishment and college affordability among the 50 states. Illustrating how Texas' unique political culture shapes its policies and institutions, these features stimulate critical thinking while turning the spotlight on a range of current political issues and reform possibilities.
  • Visually distinct and thoroughly updated, "Insiders" boxes give readers insight into the role of campaign contributors and lobbyists who influence politics and policy behind the scenes. New to this edition are features that highlight campaign contributions to the new speaker, the governor's appointment of donors to state office and the role of municipal contractors in funding campaigns for city offices.
  • The expanding role and increasing influence of social and digital media in Texas politics is thoroughly discussed and illustrated throughout.
  • Each chapter ends with new "Think Critically and Get Active" projects that support hands-on, purpose-driven activities, political involvement and personal introspection. Pedagogy links to targeted objectives throughout the chapter equip students with a cohesive learning experience. An annotated list of websites and social media sites provides additional resources to help students increase their personal political involvement and reflect on their place in the political system.
  • Each chapter opens with numbered learning objectives that are repeated in major sections throughout to help students focus their reading, track their progress and maximize their study time. Now organized by learning objectives, end-of-chapter bulleted summaries and review questions further drive home important concepts. In addition, key terms are defined within the margins to ensure thorough student understanding as they progress through each chapter.
Prologue: Texas's Political Roots.
1. Texas Political Culture and Diversity.
2. Texas in the Federal System.
3. The Texas Constitution in Perspective.
4. Voting and Elections.
5. Political Parties.
6. Interest Groups.
7. The Legislature.
8. The Executive.
9. The Judiciary.
10. Law, Due Process, and Criminal Justice Policy.
11. Local Government.
12. Public Policy in Texas.

Textbook Only Options

Traditional eBook and Print Options

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  • ISBN-10: 0357711122
  • ISBN-13: 9780357711125
  • RETAIL $77.95

  • ISBN-10: 0357506723
  • ISBN-13: 9780357506721
  • RETAIL $301.95