Reflecting the insights of authors who have written about, taught, or participated in Texas government and politics for over 30 years, this extremely readable book explores Texas government and its relationship to the people it serves and to the federal and local governments that form the American political system. It improves readers' civic literacy, and will start them on a lifelong journey in developing the concepts, skills, and behaviors that will make political and governmental institutions more responsive to their needs, interests and expectations. Chapter topics cover the social and economic milieu of Texas politics; the Texas constitution; intergovernmental relationships; interest groups and power in Texas politics; the mass media; the party system; elections, campaigns, and political behavior; the Texas legislature; the Texas executive; bureaucracy and policy implementation; the judicial system; local government; and contemporary public policy issues in Texas. For anyone who wants a better understanding of the legislative theory and actual practice of state politics and government—especially the citizens of Texas.