You may think you know Texas, but which one? Texas is a land shrouded in myths, and so is its politics. The Real World of Texas Politics pulls back the veil on those myths and reveals the secrets the elites don’t want you to know. It lays bare the dual worlds of the Lone Star State: the one for the elites, and the one for the masses. Inspired by the works of political scientist James Lamare, the authors argue that the privileged few have used their superior resources to dominate all aspects of the Texas political system, from voting and elections to government institutions and policymaking. This dominance by the elites has resulted in a subsistence life and limited future for millions of people living in twenty-first century Texas. The authors are insiders — Locander a political scientist, Shaw a union leader, and Bailey a state representative — with a combined ten-decade involvement in Texas politics and government. But they’re also outsiders, holding views that don’t align with the people in power. Rather than placate, they seek to scrutinize with a skeptical eye the most pressing issues facing one of America’s most important and most populous states. They lay bare the crass influence of money and power and provide a roadmap for what Texas can do to get state government working for average Texans. The Real World of Texas Politics challenges the economic and political status quo. It peels back the myths to expose how the state’s leaders, both Democrats and Republicans, have forsaken the masses to cater to the rich and powerful. Reversing this trend takes knowledge, and this book offers a hefty dose by taking a hard look at how politics and power really work in the Lone Star State.

Finally, a Texas truth-telling tale about Lone Star State politics by three authors with over 100 combined years of experience as Austin insiders and outsiders. "How Texas Politics Really Works" is an uncommon introduction to a subject that is shrouded in economic and governmental myths, This book exposes exactly how Democratic and Republican party leaders, in the past and the present, have ridden herd over the people of Texas in their desire to do the bidding of the rich and powerful. The authors believe that the massses, who have historically received the short end of the rope from elites, can come together to change the state power dynamic through peaceful political action. Knowledge is where it starts, and this book is a long hard look at the reality of Texas politics.

The third edition of Inside Texas Politics provides an exciting insider's perspective on the world of Texas government. The book's focus on how power struggles have shaped Texas institutions and political processes offers a fresh perspective that differentiates it from all other texts on the market. Brandon Rottinghaus, a well-known political scholar, media commentator, and Dallas native, fills the text with his own insider anecdotes, making Inside Texas Politics,Third Edition, fun and relevant for today's students. The text's visual representations of data help students foster the skills they need in order to understand and think critically about the political world around them.

Delivering unrivaled insight into the latest trends and issues, Jones/Maxwell/Crain/Davis/Wlezien/Flores' TEXAS POLITICS TODAY, 19th edition, combines a comparative approach with tightly integrated learning objectives and questions addressing the Texas GOVT2306 Core Objectives. Equipping you to think critically, it offers expanded coverage of ideology and social issues, Texas demographic changes, the importance of Latinos in Texas politics, political polarization, legislative rules changes, districting, voting obstacles, criminal justice reforms and more. First person essays illustrate how Texas politics works in real-world practice. Closing the gap between political theory and reality, the text gives you a clear understanding of how Texas compares with other states. In addition, MindTap for Texas Politics equips you with "anywhere, anytime" digital learning tools.

Delivering unrivaled coverage, TEXAS POLITICS TODAY, ENHANCED, 18th Edition combines a comparative approach with tightly integrated learning objectives and questions addressing the Texas GOVT2306 Core Objectives. Reflecting the latest trends and issues, it offers expanded coverage of ideology and social issues, Texas demographic changes, the rising importance of Latinos in Texas politics and the growing role of social and digital media. It also includes a special focus on immigration, LGBT politics, gun control policies, abortion laws and the culture wars in education. First person essays from the governor, political activists, campaign consultants and others illustrate how Texas politics works in real-world practice. Closing the gap between political theory and reality, the text gives you a clear understanding of how Texas compares with other states. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.

LONE STAR POLITICS offers a concise, balanced, and pragmatic view of Texas government that students will find accessible, informative, and even entertaining. By demonstrating how government officials use their powers to achieve their goals, the authors show the realistic, sometimes even humorous way Texas Politics affects real-life Texans. In addition, students are encouraged to actively participate in the systems of Texas Politics and Government. Innovative pedagogical features reinforce the importance of diversity in Texas politics and show how the state's unique history has shaped its modern-day institutions.