UTA POLS 2312 FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
END OF CH Q
Describe the relationship between the social history of Texas and the political
characteristics of the state's diverse population. - ANSWER-Texas has a population
of almost 29 million. Over 80 percent of all Texans live in the state's most highly
urbanized counties. Texas's past was riddled with intergroup conflict, but the state
has increasingly moved toward integration and cooperation. The three largest groups
today are Anglos, Latinos (the fastest-growing group by number), and African
Americans. Texas has a small but growing population of Asian Americans and
approximately 287,000 Native Americans.
END OF CH Q
Discuss the political implications of Texas's size in both geography and population,
along with the geographic distribution of its residents. - ANSWER-With more than
267,000 square miles of territory and almost 29 million people, Texas ranks second
in both size and population among the 50 states. Infrastructure is therefore a major
government issue. The cost of political campaigns in such a geographically large
state and the necessary fundraising are major political issues. Rapid population
growth presents a variety of opportunities and challenges for the political system.
Each of the six major regions in Texas is different in its economic and political
climate.
END OF CH Q
Describe the industries that formed the historic basis for the Texas economy, the
diversification of the modern Texas economy, and the implications for Texas politics.
- ANSWER-The Texas economy historically relied on cattle, cotton, timber, and oil
and gas. Although each is still important, the Texas economy is now very diverse
and includes many businesses that work in renewable energy sources, high
technology, the service sector, a variety of forms of agriculture, and international
trade. Service jobs make up the bulk of the increase in employment, but most such
jobs pay little and offer few benefits. Diversification has decreased the political
dominance of the four historical industries and helped stabilize the Texas economy.
END OF CH Q
Identify five major policy challenges Texas faces in the 21st century. - ANSWER-
Challenges that face Texas include the need to respond to international immigration,
manage the state's water supply, protect the environment, develop more effective
educational programs, and deal with poverty and social problems. Each of these
areas affects the lives of real people. Addressing these issues will cost taxpayers
money. The future of Texas depends on Texans' abilities to resolve problems and
capitalize on human resources.
Conclusion - ANSWER-With changing demographic, economic, social, and
environmental conditions in the Lone Star State, Texas policymakers face several
challenges. The diversity of the state both demographically and geographically
,presents myriad opportunities and problems. Because of its business-friendly
policies, the state has been successful in attracting new industries. Recent
downturns in the oil and gas industry, in particular, have weakened the state's
economy. Even when the Lone Star State's economy flourishes, however, many
Texans live in poverty. Both ordinary citizens and public officials must realize that
their ability to cope with public problems now and in the years ahead depends largely
on how well homes and schools prepare young Texans to meet the crises and
demands of an ever-changing state, nation, and world.
LEARNING CHECK Q
True or False: Governments formulate public policy to address a public need or goal.
- ANSWER-True. Public policy aims to address a public need by allocating resources
or meet a public goal by encouraging, discouraging, or modifying behavior.
LEARNING CHECK Q
Which two types of political culture have traditionally been dominant in Texas? -
ANSWER-Texas has historically been dominated by the individualistic culture and
the traditionalistic culture.
LEARNING CHECK Q
How has the size and political power of Texas's Latino population changed in recent
decades? - ANSWER-ANSWER ↓
The Latino population is the fastest growing in the state in terms of size. This has led
to increasing political influence for Texas Latinos at the local, state, and national
level.
LEARNING CHECK Q
How has religious identification in Texas changed in recent years? - ANSWER-
ANSWER ↓
Texas is becoming less religious overall and more diverse in terms of religious
identification.
LEARNING CHECK Q
What is the impact of the Lone Star State's size on Texas's politics? - ANSWER-
ANSWER ↓
Texas's large size makes infrastructure a major budget item for the state government
and increases the cost of running for many offices, making campaign fundraising
very important.
LEARNING CHECK Q
True or False: All the regions of Texas are economically dependent on the same
industries, and thus are nearly identical in culture and politics. - ANSWER-ANSWER
↓
False. Each region of Texas has a distinctive economic base, social system, and
political culture.
LEARNING CHECK Q
Which economic sector is currently creating the most jobs for Texans? - ANSWER-
ANSWER ↓
The service sector is currently creating the most jobs for Texans.
, LEARNING CHECK Q
What four industries were important to the Texas economy in the past? - ANSWER-
ANSWER ↓
Cattle, cotton, timber, and oil and gas were most important to the Texas economy in
the past.
laws that segregated African Americans and denied them access to public services
were known as - ANSWER-jim crow laws
the "values, attitudes, traditions, habits, and general behavioral patterns that develop
over time and shape the politics and public policy of a particular region," are
collectively referred to as - ANSWER-political culture
END OF CH Q
Analyze how political culture has shaped Texas's politics, government, and public
policy. - ANSWER-The political culture of Texas is dominated by the individualistic
and traditionalistic subcultures. The individualistic culture is rooted in the search for
individual opportunity of the state's early settlers and is reflected in its constitutionally
weak government and low spending on public programs. The traditionalistic culture
grew out of the Old South, where policies were designed to preserve the social order
of a landed aristocracy, and the poor and minorities were often disenfranchised (not
allowed to vote). With an increasingly diverse population, some areas in Texas may
be shifting toward an increase in the moralistic subculture, which favors government
intervention to improve society.
The two sources for the powers of the Texas government to govern are the -
ANSWER-Texas Constitution and Texas's membership in the federal Union.
A system of government in which power is divided between a national government
and associated regional governments is a(n) - ANSWER-federal system
The Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution - ANSWER-reserves to the states
those powers not delegated to the federal government
The Supreme Court's process of applying portions of th Bill of Rights to states
through the Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause is referred to as -
ANSWER-incorporation
The power of government to appropriate private property for public projects is
referred to as - ANSWER-eminent domain
In which of the following ways does the federal government influence state
policymaking? - ANSWER-offer federal grant-in-aid
The decline in national control over state governments, and shifting of federal
responsibilities to the states, is referred to as - ANSWER-devolution
To date, Texas has had _________ constitutions. - ANSWER-seven
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
END OF CH Q
Describe the relationship between the social history of Texas and the political
characteristics of the state's diverse population. - ANSWER-Texas has a population
of almost 29 million. Over 80 percent of all Texans live in the state's most highly
urbanized counties. Texas's past was riddled with intergroup conflict, but the state
has increasingly moved toward integration and cooperation. The three largest groups
today are Anglos, Latinos (the fastest-growing group by number), and African
Americans. Texas has a small but growing population of Asian Americans and
approximately 287,000 Native Americans.
END OF CH Q
Discuss the political implications of Texas's size in both geography and population,
along with the geographic distribution of its residents. - ANSWER-With more than
267,000 square miles of territory and almost 29 million people, Texas ranks second
in both size and population among the 50 states. Infrastructure is therefore a major
government issue. The cost of political campaigns in such a geographically large
state and the necessary fundraising are major political issues. Rapid population
growth presents a variety of opportunities and challenges for the political system.
Each of the six major regions in Texas is different in its economic and political
climate.
END OF CH Q
Describe the industries that formed the historic basis for the Texas economy, the
diversification of the modern Texas economy, and the implications for Texas politics.
- ANSWER-The Texas economy historically relied on cattle, cotton, timber, and oil
and gas. Although each is still important, the Texas economy is now very diverse
and includes many businesses that work in renewable energy sources, high
technology, the service sector, a variety of forms of agriculture, and international
trade. Service jobs make up the bulk of the increase in employment, but most such
jobs pay little and offer few benefits. Diversification has decreased the political
dominance of the four historical industries and helped stabilize the Texas economy.
END OF CH Q
Identify five major policy challenges Texas faces in the 21st century. - ANSWER-
Challenges that face Texas include the need to respond to international immigration,
manage the state's water supply, protect the environment, develop more effective
educational programs, and deal with poverty and social problems. Each of these
areas affects the lives of real people. Addressing these issues will cost taxpayers
money. The future of Texas depends on Texans' abilities to resolve problems and
capitalize on human resources.
Conclusion - ANSWER-With changing demographic, economic, social, and
environmental conditions in the Lone Star State, Texas policymakers face several
challenges. The diversity of the state both demographically and geographically
,presents myriad opportunities and problems. Because of its business-friendly
policies, the state has been successful in attracting new industries. Recent
downturns in the oil and gas industry, in particular, have weakened the state's
economy. Even when the Lone Star State's economy flourishes, however, many
Texans live in poverty. Both ordinary citizens and public officials must realize that
their ability to cope with public problems now and in the years ahead depends largely
on how well homes and schools prepare young Texans to meet the crises and
demands of an ever-changing state, nation, and world.
LEARNING CHECK Q
True or False: Governments formulate public policy to address a public need or goal.
- ANSWER-True. Public policy aims to address a public need by allocating resources
or meet a public goal by encouraging, discouraging, or modifying behavior.
LEARNING CHECK Q
Which two types of political culture have traditionally been dominant in Texas? -
ANSWER-Texas has historically been dominated by the individualistic culture and
the traditionalistic culture.
LEARNING CHECK Q
How has the size and political power of Texas's Latino population changed in recent
decades? - ANSWER-ANSWER ↓
The Latino population is the fastest growing in the state in terms of size. This has led
to increasing political influence for Texas Latinos at the local, state, and national
level.
LEARNING CHECK Q
How has religious identification in Texas changed in recent years? - ANSWER-
ANSWER ↓
Texas is becoming less religious overall and more diverse in terms of religious
identification.
LEARNING CHECK Q
What is the impact of the Lone Star State's size on Texas's politics? - ANSWER-
ANSWER ↓
Texas's large size makes infrastructure a major budget item for the state government
and increases the cost of running for many offices, making campaign fundraising
very important.
LEARNING CHECK Q
True or False: All the regions of Texas are economically dependent on the same
industries, and thus are nearly identical in culture and politics. - ANSWER-ANSWER
↓
False. Each region of Texas has a distinctive economic base, social system, and
political culture.
LEARNING CHECK Q
Which economic sector is currently creating the most jobs for Texans? - ANSWER-
ANSWER ↓
The service sector is currently creating the most jobs for Texans.
, LEARNING CHECK Q
What four industries were important to the Texas economy in the past? - ANSWER-
ANSWER ↓
Cattle, cotton, timber, and oil and gas were most important to the Texas economy in
the past.
laws that segregated African Americans and denied them access to public services
were known as - ANSWER-jim crow laws
the "values, attitudes, traditions, habits, and general behavioral patterns that develop
over time and shape the politics and public policy of a particular region," are
collectively referred to as - ANSWER-political culture
END OF CH Q
Analyze how political culture has shaped Texas's politics, government, and public
policy. - ANSWER-The political culture of Texas is dominated by the individualistic
and traditionalistic subcultures. The individualistic culture is rooted in the search for
individual opportunity of the state's early settlers and is reflected in its constitutionally
weak government and low spending on public programs. The traditionalistic culture
grew out of the Old South, where policies were designed to preserve the social order
of a landed aristocracy, and the poor and minorities were often disenfranchised (not
allowed to vote). With an increasingly diverse population, some areas in Texas may
be shifting toward an increase in the moralistic subculture, which favors government
intervention to improve society.
The two sources for the powers of the Texas government to govern are the -
ANSWER-Texas Constitution and Texas's membership in the federal Union.
A system of government in which power is divided between a national government
and associated regional governments is a(n) - ANSWER-federal system
The Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution - ANSWER-reserves to the states
those powers not delegated to the federal government
The Supreme Court's process of applying portions of th Bill of Rights to states
through the Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause is referred to as -
ANSWER-incorporation
The power of government to appropriate private property for public projects is
referred to as - ANSWER-eminent domain
In which of the following ways does the federal government influence state
policymaking? - ANSWER-offer federal grant-in-aid
The decline in national control over state governments, and shifting of federal
responsibilities to the states, is referred to as - ANSWER-devolution
To date, Texas has had _________ constitutions. - ANSWER-seven
