UNIT 1 - LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Texas State & Local Government - GOVT 2306
Frank J. Garrahan
Read Chapters 1, 2 & 3 in Governing Texas, 2nd Edition
1. Understand the factors that influence how states and regions develop, and their impact on Texas.
2. Identify and briefly explain the eras of Texas history from Spanish rule to the early twentieth century, and understand the development of the various regions of Texas.
3. Define political culture and the three identifiable political cultures in Texas. Page (Located in this handout)
4. In each of the six basic geopolitical areas of the state: know their contemporary political cultures; understand the historical reasons why such a political culture would predominate; and how these various areas tend to vote. Differentiate between rural/small town versus urban (50,000 plus) areas in each region.
Geopolitical areas of Texas:
a. East Texas & Upper Gulf Coast
b. South & Southwest Texas
c. Central Texas
d. German Hill Country
e. North Central Texas
f. West Texas & The Panhandle
5. Understand how the following have impacted on the development of Texas:
a. Net In-migration
b. Religion
c. Rainfall
d. Natural resources
e. Economics
f. Aquifers
6. Understand the impact of the urbanization and population growth on Texas.
7. Know the four basic functions performed by constitutions. Understand the differences between how the United States Constitution and the Texas Constitution perform these functions.
8. Understand the power distribution in our federal system. Explain the reasons for the growth of the national government's power viz-a-viz the states. Especially, how the economic and "Necessary & Proper" clauses have impacted on the federal-state power relationship.
9. Know the mandates and restrictions placed upon the states by the United States Constitution.
10. Understand why state constitutions have to be amended more frequently than the United States Constitution. Know the formal method of amending the Texas Constitution.
11. Know the significance of the various state constitutions that Texas has experienced:
a. Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas
b. Constitution of the Republic of Texas (1836)
c. Admission Constitution of 1845
d. Constitution of 1861
e. Constitution of 1865
12. In detail, know and the understand the Constitutions of 1869 and 1876. And, be able to explain the reasons for the dramatic differences between the two documents.
13. Define the key terms listed at the back of Chapters 1-3 in your textbook and also the following:
Ironclad oaths
Texas v. White
Political Culture is that part of human society that expresses the basic attitudes of citizens about what government should be. This includes the basic attitudes of citizens toward what government is (institutions, powers, methods of choosing leaders), how it should operate (extent of acceptable decisions, how decision should be made, the acceptable behavior of elected and appointed officials), and an evaluation of how well it performs.
The three basic political cultures identifiable in Texas are: Traditionalistic, Moralistic, and Individualistic. These three cultures should be thought of as "general models"; no individual adheres completely to any one of them. Everyone possesses traits from all three cultures, even though one of them will usually predominate.
| Individualistic (Marketplace) | Moralistic (Public Good) | Traditionalistic (Status Quo) | |
| Role of Political Parties | "The government that governs least governs best" - Elite of professionals | Public Interest equals the public good - "Good Society" | Government by a paternalistic elite - Preservation of the existing order |
| Activities of Political Parties | Business & special interestes coordinate democratic activities | Competition based on issues & platforms | Elites form a single party |
| Role of Interest Groups | Very active interest groups - basis for democratic activities | Private interest groups discouraged but public interst groups encouraged | Only one interest - dominates all aspects of politics |
| Role of Citizens | Powerful individuals - Average citizen not expected to participate | Participation by all - access for all | None expected, except when requested |
| Role of Economics | Free Enterprise / pseudo-laissez-faire capitalism | Regulated capitalism / some government regulation & control | Company town - non-competitive capitalism |
United States Constitutional References to the states:
Amendment X - The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.
Article IV - The United States shall gguarantee to every State in the Union a Republican Form of Government...
Article IV, Section 1 - Full Faith and Credit shall be given to each State to the Public Acts, Records, and Judicial proceedings of every other State.
Article IV, Section 2 – The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
Article IV, Section 2 – A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime. Amendment XIV, Section 1- nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Connstitution of 1869 | Constitution of 1876 |
| Centralized authority in the state | Decentralized authority |
| Weakened local governments | Strengthened local governments (counties) |
| Strong chief executicve (Governor 4 year term appointed executive officials appointed state judges salary set by the legislature | Weak chief executive (Governor) 2 year term executive officials elected (Plural executive) judges elected salary set by the Constitution |
| Independent Legislature meets annually sets own rules & salaries | Restricted Legislature meets every other year / rules & salary set by Constitution |
| Deficit spending allowed | Deficit spending restricted |
| Universal education required | Universal education outlawed |