Part 1, Section 1 - Texas Gov.

Politcal Culture

broadly shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about how the government should function and politics should operate.

“Traditionalistic Indivualistic” political culture

the belief that government should be dominated by political elites and guided by tradition, influenced by the culture of the south, combined with the belief that government should limit its role in providing order in society so that citizens can pursue their economic self interest, influenced by the culture of the mid-Atlantic states.

Provincialism

A narrow, limited, and self-interested view of the world often associated with rural values and notions of limited government.

Privatization of Public Property

The act(s) by which Texas gave public land owned by the state over to private individuals for cultivation and development.

Texas Railroad Commission

An elected state regulatory commission originally created to regulate railroads in Texas, it now plays an important role in regulating the oil and gas industry in Texas.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

A trade agreement among the United States, Canada, and Mexico that gradually eliminated most tariffs and trade barriers.

United States- Mexico- Canada Agreement (USMCA)

A trade agreement in 2018 superseding NAFTA, providing for more balanced reciprocal trade among the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Empresario

Spanish word for an individual who promotes, organizes, or helps to finance a particular endeavor.

White Primary

Primary election in which only white voters were eligible to participate

Poll Tax

A state tax imposed as a requirement for voting. These taxes were rendered unconstitutional in national elections by the 24th amendment in 1964 and in state elections by the U.S Supreme Court in 1966.

he four core areas that a state's political culture sets boundaries for regarding the state and its citizens.

1. Limits on government's authority 2. Obligations of government 3. The rights and responsibilities of the people 4. The relationship between government and the people.

Daniel Elazar.

The political scientist who categorized American political culture into three distinct subcultures.

: Traditionalistic, Individualistic, and Moralistic.

The three distinct political subcultures identified across the United States.

Traditionalistic political culture

: The political subculture rooted in early pre-industrial, agrarian society where politics is left to a small elite class to preserve the status quo.

Traditionalistic Political Culture

The typical outcomes of this subculture include less policy innovation, lower democratic political participation, and minimal interparty competition.

Individualistic Political Culture

The political subculture that views politics as a practical, economic marketplace tool for personal or group advancement.

Individualistic political culture.

The political subculture where government corruption is more likely to be tolerated because private concerns frequently trump public concerns.

Moralistic political culture.

The political subculture where citizens view popular participation as a strict civic duty to maintain the common welfare and advance economic equality.

Traditionalistic and Individualistic cultures.

The two distinct political subcultures that blend together to form the foundation of Texas's political culture.

Traditionalistic political culture

Real-world traits in Texas politics—such as a long history of one-party dominance, low voter turnout, and social conservatism—that reflect this specific subculture.

Individualistic political culture.

Real-world traits in Texas politics—such as a strict support for private business, opposition to "big government," and faith in individual initiative—that reflect this specific subculture.

Classical liberalism, social conservatism, and populism.

The three main philosophical pillars that drive and shape Texas political culture.

Classical liberalism

The political philosophy that champions individual liberty, strictly limited government, free markets, civil liberties, and religious tolerance.

Social conservatism.

The political philosophy that advocates using the government to reinforce the status quo, values established traditions, and respects traditional authority figures.

Populism.

The political philosophy guided by the well-being of ordinary people, viewing the "popular will" as the chief virtue, and protecting citizens from the burden of taxes.

"Low Taxes / Low Services" (The less government the better).

The practical policy model resulting from Texas conservatism, characterized by a strict policy of laissez-faire and a belief in the free market.

Political socialization.

The process through which we teach, learn, and transmit our political knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and values from generation to generation.

Family, church, schools, and the media.

The primary agents responsible for driving the process of political socialization.

: One-party dominance (historically Democratic, now Republican)

The historical pattern where one political party held complete control over Texas politics for over a century following Reconstruction.

Business dominance

The historical pattern where corporations, major campaign contributors, and trade groups exert immense influence over Texas public policy and lobbying.

The Gulf Coastal Plains

The geographic region of Texas that is home to major population centers (Houston, DFW) and early economic engines like timber, cotton, and the Spindletop oil boom.

The Interior Lowlands

The region of Texas driven primarily by agricultural economies, large cattle ranches, and deeply conservative rural values.

The Great Plains

The region dominated by large-scale farming, the Ogallala Aquifer, oil production, and consistently high conservative voting patterns.

The Basin and Range Province

The far western region of Texas characterized by mountains, the Rio Grande border, a heavy Latino population, and a cross-border economic identity.

Creative destruction

Joseph Schumpeter’s economic concept describing how new industries periodically emerge to completely transform and replace older economic models.

Cotton and Cattle era

The 19th-century economic era fueled by plantation systems and cattle drives that created the foundational wealth for early Texas elites.

The Spindletop oil boom

The major 1901 discovery that shifted Texas from an agricultural state to an industrial powerhouse and expanded energy sector influence in politics.

High-Tech Industry era

The late 20th-century economic era marked by diversification into technology and manufacturing, creating tech hubs in cities like Austin and Dallas.

Majority- Minority State

The demographic status of Texas indicating that no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population.

Latinos

The demographic group that is currently the fastest-growing community and largest demographic plurality in Texas.

The Texas Triangle

The urban megaregion anchored by Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and San Antonio/Austin where Texas population growth is heavily concentrated.

Suburban and exurban areas

The primary political battlegrounds in modern Texas elections where exploding, highly diverse population growth meets historically conservative bases.