Answer each question fully with at least more than one paragraph. Remember that you have access to the textbook (https://myhome.cengagebrain.com;
1. Watch the video “Changing Demographics and Changing Politics and Policy in Texas”. It can be accessed here:
o http://www.laits.utexas.edu/txp_media/pr/speaker_series_files/video_pages/201102_murdock.html
o http://www.laits.utexas.edu/txp_media/pr/speaker_series_files/video_pages/201102_murdock.html
a. Identify and discuss 5 key points from the video.
b. Write a response (2 paragraph) about how the changing demographics in Texas might affect political party allegiance in the state.
c. Given what you have just heard on the video, take a look at http://turningtexasblue.org/index.htm. Discuss what you find on this website AND whether or not you believe the organization is likely to find success. Explain.
Click Here To Get More On This Paper!!!!b. Write a response (2 paragraph) about how the changing demographics in Texas might affect political party allegiance in the state.
c. Given what you have just heard on the video, take a look at http://turningtexasblue.org/index.htm. Discuss what you find on this website AND whether or not you believe the organization is likely to find success. Explain.
2. Go to the “Top Donors” section of the Texans for Public Justice website (http://info.tpj.org/reports/2010TopDonors/Top2010Donors.html). Scroll through the list to see the types of groups who have donated the most money.
a. Identify who you believe to be the “Power Groups” in Texas. Discuss what this information means to who is truly represented in Texas politics.
b. Does the information you find here correspond to the textbook information? Explain why or why not.
c. Discuss the political culture (remember the first chapter?) in Texas and which types of groups you would expect to be most powerful in Texas. Least powerful? Explain whether this information matches your expectations given the political culture in Texas.
b. Does the information you find here correspond to the textbook information? Explain why or why not.
c. Discuss the political culture (remember the first chapter?) in Texas and which types of groups you would expect to be most powerful in Texas. Least powerful? Explain whether this information matches your expectations given the political culture in Texas.
3. Interest groups seek to influence governmental policy. In Texas, they play a major role in state politics and government. This video series explores the tactics used by Texas interest groups to influence the legislative and judicial systems in the battle over tort reform – changes in the civil justice system that limit monetary compensation for injured parties in a lawsuit.
Watch the videos athttp://gln.dcccd.edu/GOVT2301_Pilot/Lessons/Lesson29/htm/video.htm.
Then answer the following questions.
Then answer the following questions.
a. Discuss strategies used by the Texas Association of Business, Texas Medical Association, and the Texas Trial Lawyers Association in the battle over tort reform.
b. Analyze whether the Texas Association of Business and Texas Medical Association were successful in obtaining tort reform.
c. Discuss how low voter participation in Texas contributes to the ability of interest groups to influence public policy.
d. Whereas political parties mainly exist to support campaigns and win elections, interest groups seek to influence government policy. Discuss the role Texas interest groups play in the state political system.
b. Analyze whether the Texas Association of Business and Texas Medical Association were successful in obtaining tort reform.
c. Discuss how low voter participation in Texas contributes to the ability of interest groups to influence public policy.
d. Whereas political parties mainly exist to support campaigns and win elections, interest groups seek to influence government policy. Discuss the role Texas interest groups play in the state political system.
e. Because of Texas’ limited state government and prevailing political culture, interest groups are central to the political process. Arguably, they wield more power than interest groups at the national level or in many other states. Assess whether interest groups diminish the relevance of Texas voters.