Texas Political Culture and History

Texas Political Culture

Political culture refers to the broadly shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about how government and society should function. In the United States, political culture traditionally emphasizes liberty, equality, and democracy. Texas is categorized by Daniel Elazar as having a traditionalistic individualistic political culture, where deference is shown to political elites and hard work and self-interest are core virtues in economic life.

• Political Culture: Shared values and beliefs about government and society.

• Traditionalistic Individualistic Culture: A mix of respect for tradition and individual self-reliance.

• Elazar’s Classification: States are classified as individualistic, moralistic, or traditionalistic based on migration patterns and historical development.

• Example: Texas’s culture values limited government and economic self-interest.

Federalism and Political Culture

The United States operates under a federal system, dividing powers between national and state governments. Political cultures at federal, state, and local levels help define legitimate government activities. In the 1970s, new political cultures emerged in response to economic and social changes.

• Federalism: Division of powers between national and state governments.

• Political Culture at Different Levels: Shapes what is considered legitimate government action.

• Example: Local governments may have distinct cultures from state or national levels.

One-Party Dominance

For over a century, Texas was dominated by the Democratic Party. However, competition increased in the 1990s, and the Republican Party gained control after 2002 redistricting. Demographic changes, especially the growth of the Latino population, may shift future political dominance.

• One-Party State: Long-term dominance by a single party.

• Political Shift: Increased competition and demographic changes.

• Example: Latino population growth as a potential source of Democratic resurgence.

Provincialism

Provincialism is a narrow view associated with rural values and limited government. This has been challenged by urbanization, increased diversity, and Texas’s global economic role. Recent intolerance toward minority groups raises questions about a resurgence of provincialism.

• Provincialism: Rural-focused, limited government values.

• Challenges: Urbanization, diversity, global economy.

• Example: Political debates over minority rights and immigration.

Geography and Regions of Texas

The Land

Texas’s politics are shaped by its geography, notably its large size and privatization of public property. Texas is the second-largest state, with significant distances across its territory.

• Privatization of Public Property: Transfer of public lands to private ownership.

• Geographic Size: Influences political and economic development.

Physical Regions of Texas

Texas is divided into several distinct physical regions, each with unique economic and political characteristics.

• Gulf Coastal Plains: Timber, oilfields, plantation history; urban areas Democratic, suburbs Republican.

• Interior Lowlands: Agriculture, cattle, large ranches; conservative values.

• Great Plains: Cotton, ranching, petroleum; conservative majority.

• Basin and Range Province: Mountains, low population, large Latino population, Democratic strongholds (El Paso, McAllen, Brownsville).

Economic Change in Texas

Waves of Economic Change

Texas’s economy has evolved through three major waves: cotton and cattle, oil, and high-tech industries.

• First Wave: Cotton and cattle production.

• Second Wave: Oil industry growth.

• Third Wave: High-tech digital economy.

Cotton

Cotton is one of Texas’s oldest crops, with production cycles fluctuating over time. Tenant farming was common in the early 20th century but declined significantly by the late 20th century.

• Tenant Farmers: Farmers who rent land; many were sharecroppers.

• Decline: By 1987, only 12% of farmers were tenants.

• Modern Farms: Most are family-owned or partnerships.

Cotton Production

Texas remains a major cotton producer, but the industry’s economic importance has declined since the 1920s.

Cattle

Ranching and cattle have paralleled cotton in Texas history. Both industries have declined in relative importance, with fewer people living on farms and ranches today.

• Population Shift: From 23% living on farms/ranches in 1940 to 2% today.

• Economic Role: Suppliers and processors also declined.

Oil in Texas

Oil transformed Texas’s government and economy, expanding state power and funding higher education. Recent challenges include market fluctuations and the impact of COVID-19.

• Texas Railroad Commission: Regulates oil and gas.

• Permanent University Fund: Supports higher education.

• 2020 Challenges: Oil glut and reduced demand.

High-Tech Industry

After oil prices collapsed in 1982, Texas shifted toward manufacturing and high-tech industries. By 2018, manufacturing accounted for 13% of state output and 7% of employment.

NAFTA and USMCA

NAFTA (1992) created a free-trade zone with Canada and Mexico, boosting Texas exports. In 2018, NAFTA was replaced by USMCA, continuing trade expansion.

• NAFTA: North American Free Trade Agreement.

• USMCA: United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

• Mexico: Top importer of Texas exports.

The Military in Texas

Military bases have been economically vital to Texas since annexation, stimulating local economies and employment.

• Employment: 150,000 active-duty, reserve, and civilian personnel in 2019.

• Economic Impact: Bases support local communities.

Demographic Change in Texas

Population Growth

Texas’s population growth is driven by natural increase, international immigration, and domestic migration. The Latino population now constitutes the majority.

• Growth Factors: Births (48%), international immigration (21%), domestic migration (31%).

• 2022 Population: Over 30 million; Latinos are the largest group.

Ethnic Groups in Texas

• Non-Hispanic Whites: Historically dominant; now 41.2% of population. Urbanites tend to vote progressive, suburbanites Republican.

• Latinos: Mostly of Mexican descent; 11.7 million in 2021, 19% of U.S. Latino population. Majorities in San Antonio and El Paso.

• African-Americans: 13% of population; notable political figures include Barbara Jordan.

• Asian Americans: 1.5 million in 2020 (5.2%); concentrated in urban/suburban areas.

Population Growth of Texas Cities

Major metropolitan areas are experiencing significant growth, with projections for continued expansion through 2050.

Political Culture and the Future of Texas

Future Trends

Texas’s future will be shaped by long-term economic and demographic changes, not short-term events like COVID-19. The growing Latino population will play a central role in politics and the economy, requiring both major parties to adapt to new voter demographics.

• Diversification: Economy and population are increasingly diverse.

• Latino Influence: Expected to dominate future political and economic life.

• Political Adaptation: Parties must adjust ideologies to appeal to young Latino voters.

Additional info: These notes expand on the original slides by providing definitions, context, and examples relevant to sociology students studying political culture, demographic change, and regional variation in Texas.