Political Culture, People, and Economy of Texas

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on the political culture, people, and economy of Texas, as well as the Texas Constitution and its place within the federal system.

Moralistic Political Culture

A political culture that emphasizes the role of the government as a means for achieving the public good and encourages citizen participation.

Individualistic Political Culture

A political culture that focuses on individualism and personal achievement, where government is seen as a means to achieve personal goals.

Traditionalistic Political Culture

A political culture characterized by a belief in a hierarchical system and the maintenance of the status quo, often emphasizing social order.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

A trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico aimed at eliminating trade barriers.

Urbanization

The process by which rural areas become urbanized as people move to cities, altering the demographic and economic landscape.

Constitution

A written document outlining the principles and framework of government, including the distribution of powers and rights.

Separation of Powers

A doctrine that divides government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to oversee and limit the actions of the others.

Supremacy Clause

A clause in the U.S. Constitution that establishes federal law as the supreme law of the land.

Necessary and Proper Clause

A clause allowing Congress to make laws considered necessary to carry out its powers, also known as the elastic clause.

Unicameral Legislature

A legislature with a single legislative chamber.

Bicameral Legislature

A legislature consisting of two chambers or houses.

Plural Executive

An executive branch structure where multiple officials are elected independently rather than appointed, thereby diffusing power.

Federalism

A political system where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Dual Federalism (Layer-Cake Federalism)

A clear, defined separation of powers between federal and state governments.

Cooperative Federalism (Marble-Cake Federalism)

A political system in which federal and state governments share responsibilities and collaborate on various issues.

Coercive Federalism

A form of federalism where the federal government pressures states to comply with national policies, often through funding.

Commerce Clause

A constitutional provision granting Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds provided to states for specific purposes, often with strict regulations.

Unfunded Mandates

Regulations or new conditions imposed by the federal government on state governments without providing federal funds to meet those requirements.

Preemption

The principle that allows federal law to take precedence over state law.

13th Amendment

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution that abolished slavery.

14th Amendment

An amendment that grants citizenship and equal protection under the law to all persons born or naturalized in the United States.

15th Amendment

An amendment that prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on race.