Government and Politics in the Lone Star State, 12th edition

For courses in Texas government.

Examine Texas politics in historical, economic and demographic contexts

Government and Politics in the Lone Star State guides students through the historical, economic and demographic environments that have made Texas government and political culture what it is. Drawing on their experiences in political science, journalism and consulting, the authors explain Texas's governmental institutions, the players who influence them and how these factors compare to those in other states.

The 12th Edition has been updated to reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Texas citizens and institutions, the state's response to the pandemic, and the 2020 election results.

Hallmark features of this title

• Learning objectives tied to the major headings in every chapter help students identify the key concepts they should understand. These learning objectives also inform the end-of-chapter summaries to reinforce what students have learned.
• A running marginal glossary clearly defines bolded key terms for students at the locations in the chapters where the terms are discussed.
• A robust art and photo program provides a friendly and accessible reading experience.

New and updated features of this title

• NEW: New and updated material on important recent developments covers the following:
• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the state, its people and its institutions, including economic inequities and access to health care
• Additional emphasis on systemic racism and economic inequality, long a part of the text's narrative, focusing on the protests and other reactions that followed the death of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man and former Houston resident, in police custody in Minneapolis
• The 2020 election returns and the increasing partisanship in Texas, including sharp differences over policy between Democratic leaders in major Texas cities and Republican officials in the state Capitol
• Changes in public opinion, political ideology, policy preferences, party identification, and political participation, drawing on survey research conducted by a number of well-respected research groups
• UPDATED: Chapter-opening stories reflect recent events and changing patterns in public policy. Several are new to this edition, and several have been updated.