Texas Government 2306 - Exam 1 (Chapters 1- 6)

What is a conservative ?

A political ideology make by the belief in a LIMITED ROLE OF GOVERNMENT in taxation, economic regulation, and providing social services.

Conservatives

This people support traditional values and lifestyle, and are cautious in response to social change

What is Political Culture ?

The dominant political values and beliefs of a people.

What is Liberals ?

A political ideology marked by the advocacy of POSITIVE GOVERNMENT ACTION to improve welfare of individuals, government regulations of the economy, support for civil rights, and tolerance for social change.

Who was Daniel J. Elezar ?

What is a social contract ?

an implicit agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits, for example by sacrificing some individual freedom for state protection

What is a State of Nature ?

A time where society has lived without a government.

Preamble to the Constitution

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

White Primary

The practice of excluding Africans from Democratic party elections in Texans

Two-Party System

A political system characterized by two dominant parties competing for political offices, where minor or third parties have little chance of winning.

Internationality

having family or business interests in two or more nations.

Functions of Political Parties

1. Nominate and elect members to office

2. Simplify the issues for voters

3. Mobilizes voters (encourages participation)

4. Run the government where active

Judicial Review

the power of the courts to rule on the constitutionality of government actions.

Decentralization

he exercise of power in political parties by state and local party organizations rather than by national party institutions

Ranchero Culture (all live on the rancho)

Quasi-feudal system where owner gives workers protection & employment in return in return for their loyalty and services.

Bicultural

Encompassing 2 cultures

Spindle top

a major oil find near Beaumont, has led to continuous growth.

Plural Executive

an executive branch with power divided among several independent officers and a weak chief executive

Closed primary

type of primary party where you must registered for your party before election day.

Open Primary

type of primary party where you can choose your party that day.

Cross Over Voting

When members of one political party vote in the other party's primary to influence who is selection.

Implied Powers

powers delegated to the national government as a result of the 'necessary and proper clause' in the US Constitution

26th Amendment

reduces the voting age from 21 to 18.

Concurrent Powers

powers shared by the national and state government. Example: powers of taxation

Statuatory Law

Law passed by the legislature and written into code books.

Individual Culture

views government as a practical institution that should further business, but rarely intervene in people's lives

Texas Constitution of 1876

the one in use today

Supremacy Clause

Article VI of the US Constitution. Makes the national constitution and laws supreme when they conflict with states rules

Reason for low voter turnout in Texas

1. Legal Constraints

2. Soceoeconomic factors

3. Political Structure

4. Politcal Culture: Individualistic

Open primaries

voters decide at the polls (election day) in which primary they will participate in.

Ranchero Culture

quasi-feudal system whereby property owners give workers protection and employment in return for their loyalty and service.

Succession

The separation of a territory from a larger political unit.

Partisan Elections

Judicial Branch Judges run as Democrats or Republicans

Direct Primary System

: a method of selecting the nominees from a political party where party members elect the candidates that represent them in the general election.

Expressed powers

powers explicitly granted by the US Constitution to the national government. Also known as enumerated powers.

Expressed powers include the right to wage war, raise and support armies, conduct international relations, et. al.

Political Culture

reflects the political values and beliefs of a people and explains how people feel about their government.

1906 Party Primary Reforms

Voters not had direct vote for primary candidates

Meant the Democratic primary was the only game in town

Biennial Legislative Sessions (Regular Session)

Scheduled by the constitution

Means they are held once every two years

Limited to 140 days

14th Amendment

US Constitutional amendment that places restrictions on the states and set national standards for state action.

Pragmatism

1836 Republic of Texas Constitution (1st constitution)

Established term limits on the president

• Included separation of church and state

• Some provisions from Spanish-Mexican law • Homestead protections

• Community property

• Common law

• Established a unitary form of government

Legislative Branch

Bicameral (two-house) legislature

• 31-member senate

• 150-member house of representatives

• Elected for four-year term from single-member districts

• Annual salary of $7200

Plantation and Slave Owning Culture

Dominant Texas Culture following Texas Revolution. Modified to an extent by the civil war.