Texas Political Culture and Constitutional Democracy

Unit 1: Texas Political Culture and Constitutional Democracy

Select one of the following topic essay themes.

Choice #1: Texas Democratic Principles and Texas Constitution

Discuss how Texas Constitution of 1876 conforms to Texas' principles of a limited democratic government.

Suggested points of discussion:

Why does Texas have such a strong need or desire to have a limited state government?

Is the form (structure) of Texas government indeed limited?

Does this limited government meet with today's Texas political and economic needs in the 21st century?

Choice # 2: Federalism

Discuss the relationship between the federal government and the states.

Suggested points of discussion:

Shared and denied powers of both the national and state governments.

US Supreme Court decisions over federalism (federal powers versus states powers).

How the federal government gets states to follow or comply with national interests and policies.

Report Requirements:

Heading: (Single-spaced)

Top Left Hand Corner

Texas Government

Name

Unit ___ Essay

Title of Essay Centered below Heading

OR provide a Cover Sheet (Required information is to be centered on page)

Texas Government

Name

Unit ___ Essay

Essay Title

Note: Provide a heading on your first essay page, OR include a Cover Sheet NOT BOTH

history. The previous six were the constitution of Coahuila y Tejas, the 1836 Constitution of the Republic of Texas and the state constitutions of 1845, 1861, 1866, and 1869.

The current constitution is among the longest of state constitutions in the United States; since its initial adoption, as of November 2011 a total of 653 amendments have been proposed, of which 474 were approved by voters and 179 were