Complete the following components and follow the instructions for each. Note: Your written analysis on Sections III-V must be a minimum of one meaningful paragraph. However, please put more emphasis on the quality of content rather than the length of your analysis.
Key terms.

I. Describe the significance of the following terms. Use language that demonstrates your understanding of the application of these terms.

1. Describe two demographics and explain their impact their impact on the political system in Texas.

2. Describe the social, cultural and economic changes in Texas that could impact our political system in Texas?

3. Who was E.J. Davis and explain his impact on the political system in Texas?

4. Explain the significance of the plural executive in Texas.

5. What is distinction between split-ticket and straight ticket voting and evaluate the impact of these phenomenon on the political system in Texas

6. What is the distinction between an open and closed primary state and evaluate the potential negative characteristic of the open primary state like Texas.

7. Explain why dealignment and realignment is taking place and evaluate the impact on the political system in Texas.

8. Write a brief description of one of the following court cases and explain how this

impacts conservatism in Texas.

IV. Write a brief analysis of Daniel Elazars categorization of political culture and add your own perspective of how Texas fits into this characterization.

V. Based on your participation in the constitutional amendment voting exercise, rate your voting experience from 1-10 with 10 being the best and one being the worst. Explain why and evaluate whether this is an effective feature of the Texas Constitution.

Note: The responses should come from the textbook, PowerPoint slides with a minimal amount of research.

Study Guide/Objectives:

1. Know the political culture in Texas.

2. Know the impact of demographics as well as their impact on policy-making.

3. Know the distinction between conservatism and liberalism, and the impact of these ideologies on the political system in Texas.

4. Know the impact of the principle of separation of power impacts our political structure.

5. Know the purposes and features of the current Texas Constitution.

6. Know the historical development of the current Constitution, as well as the five documents that preceded the current document.

7. Know the attempts at writing/adopting a new Constitution

8. Know the individuals who influenced the development of the state Constitution

9. Be able to evaluate the process for amending the Texas Constitution

10. Be aware of the need for such reform, as well as attempts at such reform.

11. Be able to analyze the validity and effectiveness of the current constitution.

12. Know the role of interest groups in the Texas political process, as well as the methodologies used to influence the political/policy-making process

13. Know the role of lobbying and be able to evaluate the validity of the lobby process.

14. Know why interest groups are stronger in Texas and the role of money

15. Know the distinction of the ideologies of the two major political parties in Texas.

16. Know the role and organization of political parties in Texas.

17. Know the changing nature of demographics and the idea of Texas turning blue.

18. Know the nature and factors that contribute to low voter participation in Texas.

19. Know the impact and remedies associated with voter disenfranchisement/suppression

20. Be able to evaluate the power of interest groups and voting

21. Understand the relevant terms