TxGovwrittenanswers-test1
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Jan 9, 2024
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What is one main critique of Elazar’s theory of political culture?
One main critique of Elazar's theory is that it simplifies the complex and diverse political culture of
America. Critics argue that there are many other factors that shape politics in America, such as
someone’s race or ethnicity, their social class, gender identity, religion, and even geographic location. All
these things are not accounted for adequately in Elazar's theory. Some people also claim that Elazar's
theory is too focused on the political culture of individual states and does not really consider the broader
political and social trends shaping American politics. They argue that a more comprehensive approach is
needed to understand the full dynamics of American political culture.
What are referenda and initiatives and does the Texas Constitution provide for either of these?
Referenda and initiatives are types of direct democracy in which citizens can propose and vote on laws or
policies on their own. A referendum is a direct vote in which the entire electorate is asked to either
approve or reject a particular law or policy. An initiative is a process by which citizens can propose a new
law or policy by collecting a specified number of signatures on a petition. If the required number of
signatures is collected, the proposed law or policy is then placed on the ballot for a direct vote by the
electorate. As for the Texas Constitution, it does provide for referenda but does not for initiatives.
The great number of indigenous groups in early settled Texas resulted in what changes to Texas
political culture?
One of the most notable changes was the development of a culture of conflict and violence, as the
various indigenous groups fought against each other and against European settlers for control of land
and resources. This persisted throughout much of Texas history and was reflected in the state's political
culture. Texas has a tradition of individualism and self-reliance, which can be tracked back to early
settlers and their struggles against indigenous groups. The native people in early Texas had a significant
impact on the state's cultural and linguistic diversity. Many of these groups spoke different languages
and had distinct cultural traditions, which contributed to the multicultural character of Texas and helped
to shape the state's unique identity.
What does it mean to say the Texas Constitution is a statutory constitution? What are the
consequences of such a constitution?
To say that the Texas Constitution is a statutory constitution means that it is composed of detailed and
specific provisions that are prescriptive in nature, rather than broad and general principles. A statutory
constitution is more concerned with specific policy details than with overarching principles. The
consequences of having a statutory constitution are complex. While such constitutions can provide
detailed guidance and clarity on specific policy areas, they can also be difficult to amend, limit the
flexibility of government, and lead to legal challenges and disputes.
In Texas why are interest groups important to state legislators? Be specific. Who are some of these
groups?
Interest groups are an important part of the legislative process in Texas because they provide legislators
with valuable information, expertise, and support on a wide range of policy issues. By working with
interest groups, state legislators can better understand the needs and perspectives of their constituents
and make more informed and effective policy decisions. Some examples include the Texas State Rifle
Association, the Texas Gun Owners Association, and the National Rifle Association. These groups
advocate for gun rights and oppose gun control measures.
Why was federal intervention necessary to extend voting rights to African Americans? Was Texas part
of the reason for this? If so, what actions did they utilize?
Federal intervention was absolutely necessary to extend voting rights to African Americans because state
governments, particularly those in Southern states, had created many discriminatory laws and practices
designed to prevent African Americans from voting. Texas was one of the states that practiced these
methods. Texas implemented poll taxes, literacy tests, and a "white primary" system that effectively
excluded African Americans from participating in Democratic Party primaries, which at the time were the
only competitive elections in Texas.
Describe the steps required to amend the Texas Constitution. Give two examples of recent approved
constititional amendments.
First, there must be a proposal created in either the House of Representatives or the Senate and then
the proposal must be approved by at least two-thirds vote from each chamber. Next, the proposed
amendment has to be published in newspapers throughout Texas a minimum of twice with the second
publication at least 30 days prior to the election. Then the proposed amendment has to be voted on
statewide and must be approved by a majority of those who cast a ballot in the election. If the proposed
amendment is approved by the voters, it gets certified by the governor and filed with the Texas Secretary
of State.
Proposition 10 (2019): This amendment allowed for the transfer of a law enforcement animal, such as a
dog or horse, to their handler or another qualified caretaker when the animal was retired or no longer
needed for law enforcement purposes.
Proposition 6 (2017): This amendment allowed for the creation of a property tax exemption for surviving
spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty.
Compare and Contrast the distribution of power of the Texas Constitution with that of the U.S.
Constitution. Which do you believe creates a stronger government? Be detailed and specific.
The powers distributed between the state and federal government in the Texas Constitution and the U.S.
Constitution differ greatly. The U.S. Constitution creates a federal system of government with a clear
division of powers between the federal government and the states, while the Texas Constitution
emphasizes the power of the state government and simply limits the authority of its local governments.
Under the U.S. Constitution, the federal government is granted certain enumerated powers, such as the
power to regulate interstate commerce, declare war, and coin money. The Tenth Amendment reserves all
other powers to the states or to the people. This division of powers is often referred to as "federalism"
and is designed to balance the power of the national government with the autonomy of the states. In
contrast, the Texas Constitution grants broad powers to the state government, including the power to
regulate commerce within the state, levy taxes, and establish a system of public education. The state
government is also responsible for creating and enforcing laws related to health of the public as well as
safety and welfare. While local governments are granted some powers, such as the power to regulate
land use and zoning, their authority is quite limited and subject to state oversight.
In terms of which system creates a stronger government the U.S. Constitution's federal system of
government has been successful in balancing the power of the national government with the autonomy
of the states and has been a cornerstone of American democracy for over two centuries. The system has
also allowed for a diversity of policy approaches across the states, as states have been able to
experiment and innovate with their own policy solutions. Overall, both the U.S. Constitution and the
Texas Constitution have strengths and weaknesses in terms of creating a strong government. I believe
that the U.S. Constitution does the better job though.
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution
https://tlc.texas.gov/docs/legref/TxConst.pdf
Texas' emerging socio-economic complex in the 1950's included what key components? These
contributed to the changing political culture how? Be specific
The emerging socio-economic complex in Texas in the 1950s was characterized by a number of key
components, including a rapidly growing urban population, a booming oil and gas industry, and an
expanding transportation network. One important component of the emerging socio-economic complex
was the growth of urban areas such as Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. These cities saw significant
population growth during the 1950s, as people moved from rural areas to seek jobs in the expanding
manufacturing and service sectors. Another key component was the oil and gas industry. The 1950s saw
a surge in oil and gas production, fueled in part by the discovery of large new reserves in West Texas.
This led to an economic boom that helped to fuel the growth of the state's urban areas. A third
important component was the expanding transportation network, which included the construction of
new highways and the expansion of the state's ports. This helped to facilitate the movement of people
and goods across the state and contributed to the growth of the state's economy.
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These components of the emerging socio-economic complex in Texas in the 1950s contributed to the
changing political culture of the state in several ways. First, the growth of urban areas and the expansion
of the economy helped to shift the balance of power away from rural areas and towards urban centers.
This led to a greater emphasis on issues such as education, transportation, and urban development in
state politics. Second, the economic boom fueled by the oil and gas industry helped to create a new class
of wealthy individuals who became increasingly involved in state politics and government. This led to a
greater emphasis on business-friendly policies and a more conservative political culture in the state.
In your own words which type of interest group in Texas has the most influence over legislators? Why?
I believe that many interest groups in Texas have large influences over legislators but its likely that
business interests groups have the most. Legislators need to be funded and business interest groups
have the means to support their causes. Business interest groups are able to financially provide
resources to legislators. These groups are willing to pay to get their way and legislators will use this to
their advantage.
Describe the TYPES of elections held in TEXAS and HOW they work.
Primary Elections - held to determine which candidates will represent each political party in the general
election. Voters select the candidate they want to represent their party on the ballot in the general
election. In an open primary, voters can choose to vote in either party's primary regardless of their party
affiliation, while in a semi-closed primary, voters must declare their party affiliation and vote in that
party's primary.
General Elections - determine the winners of various political offices, including the President of the
United States, members of Congress, statewide elected officials, and state legislators. Voters choose
between the candidates from each party who were selected in the primary election.
Special Elections - held to fill a vacant seat in the Texas Legislature or to address a specific issue or
proposition. Special elections are typically called by the Governor and are held on a date set by the
Governor. In a special election, candidates from all political parties run on the same ballot.
Local Elections - held to elect officials to local government positions, such as city council members,
mayors, and school board members. Local elections are held in May of odd-numbered years and are
nonpartisan, meaning that candidates do not run as members of a political party.
Describe in your own words some of the reasons why voter turnout in Texas is so low.
There are many reasons voter turn out in Texas is so low. Voter ID requirements keep some from voting
because it is not always a simple process to get a valid form of identification, especially for those
suffering from poverty. Lack of transportation or the time to get off from work also effects the lower
class. Not being allowed to register and vote same day also affects our turnout because some people
don't think about being registered before the 30 days are up. The biggest reason though is likely because
many voters do not feel like their vote actually counts. Many choose not to vote because they don't think
their one vote will make any difference when there are such large political party lines to cross.