Institutions of Texas Government

Directions: Please respond to one of the following essay prompts. Your response must be about 1000 words in
length, and must adhere to a standard manuscript form. Be sure to support your argument with specific
references to primary or secondary sources.
The basic principles of US Government can be grouped into two major categories: The Natural Rights
Argument and Control of the Mischiefs of Faction. The principles of Texas Government are somewhat different:
The Positive Rights tradition, Popular Sovereignty, Independence, Decentralization/Local Control, and
Fragmented Authority. Can these two sets of principles be reconciled with each other? If so, how? If not, why
not? Please support your argument with specific examples.
Sources to consider:
The US Declaration of Independence
The US Constitution of 1787
Madison, James. The Federalist #9-11.
Bruff, Harold H. “Separation of Powers under the Texas Constitution.” Texas Law Review, 68. (1990): 1337.
Cornyn, John. “Roots of the Texas Constitution: Settlement to Statehood, The.” Texas Tech Law Review. 26
(1995): 1089.
Harrington, James C. “Privacy and the Texas Constitution.” Vt. L. Rev. 13 (1988): 155.
Thomas Jr, A. J., and Ann Van Wynen Thomas. “Texas Constitution of 1876.”Tex. L. Rev. 35 (1956): 907