Texas Political Culture, Demographics, and Economic Transformation

Business Dominance

A feature of Texas politics characterized by the influence of business interests on policy decisions.

One-Party Rule

A political situation in Texas where one political party has significant control over the political landscape.

Provincialism

A political attitude in Texas that emphasizes local interests and a limited view of broader national or global issues.

Majority-Minority State

A state where the combined population of minority groups exceeds that of the majority group; in Texas, Hispanics surpass Anglos.

Sleeping Giant

A term describing the potential political power of demographic groups in Texas, particularly younger Hispanics, if mobilized.

Hispanic Identity

A diverse group that includes Mexican Americans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, and Central Americans, each with differing political leanings.

Asian Identity

A term that refers to various distinct communities in Texas, including Vietnamese, Indian, Chinese, Korean, and Filipino Texans.

Median Age

The middle age of a population; Texas has a median age of 35 compared to 38 nationally.

Affluence

The state of having a lot of money; Texas is less affluent than the national average, with lower household income and higher poverty rates.

Education Levels

Texas has a lower percentage of bachelor's degrees compared to the national average, although urban areas exceed national averages.

Diversity

Texas has a larger Hispanic and Black population and the fastest-growing Asian population, with a smaller Anglo share.

Youthful Hispanic Population

A demographic group in Texas that could significantly influence future politics if mobilized around issues like education and healthcare.

Older Anglo Population

A demographic in Texas that tends to have higher voter turnout and more influence on property taxes and cultural conservatism.

Black Texans

A demographic concentrated in urban and east Texas, often voting Democratic and playing a key role in voting rights debates.

Asian Texans

A fast-growing and diverse demographic in Texas with urban and suburban influence, focusing on education and immigration issues.

Policy Tensions

Conflicts between the needs of a young, diverse population for education and infrastructure and the limited government preferences of older voters.

Purple State

A term describing Texas's political trend towards competitiveness between parties, rather than being solidly red or blue.

Texas Triangle

A region in Texas encompassing DFW, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin, holding over 60% of the state's population and economic power.

Gulf Coastal Plains

A major region in Texas characterized by fertile, humid areas and significant energy hubs like Houston and Dallas.

Interior Lowlands

A region in Texas known for ranching, agriculture, and railroads, with Fort Worth as a key city.

Great Plains

A region in Texas with higher elevation, known for ranching, wheat production, and wind energy, including areas like Austin and Lubbock.

Basin and Range Province

El Paso, Big Bend, Davis and Guadalupe Mountains, Guadalupe Peak; Permian Basin oil production.

Creative Destruction

The process by which new technologies or industries replace older ones.

Agriculture and Ranching

Cotton and cattle defined the early economy, shaping settlement patterns and land politics.

Oil and Gas

The 1901 Spindletop discovery triggered an oil boom that transformed Texas into an energy giant.

Permian Basin

Remains a centerpiece of oil and gas production today.

Technology and Diversification

The shift towards high-tech industries, finance, and healthcare following the 1980s oil bust.

Dallas-San Marcos Technology Corridor

Region where high-tech industries expanded rapidly in the 1990s and 2000s.

Silicon Hills

Austin, known for its growth in technology and service industries.

Texas Medical Center

Expanded during the 1990s and 2000s, making healthcare and research a dominant economic sector.

Population Growth

Driven by natural increase, interstate migration, and international migration.

Natural Increase

The largest factor driving population growth in Texas.

Interstate Migration

Especially from California, contributing to Texas's population growth.

International Migration

Mainly from Mexico, Central America, and Asia, contributing to Texas's population growth.

Political Culture

Describes the values and beliefs that shape the political behavior in Texas.

One-Party State

A political system where one political party dominates.

Traditionalistic Culture

A political culture that emphasizes tradition and maintaining the status quo.

Spindletop

The site of the 1901 oil discovery that triggered Texas's oil boom.

Ogallala Aquifer

A significant water source for agriculture in the Great Plains region.

NAFTA / USMCA

Trade agreements that have implications for Texas's economy.

Basin and Range

A geographic region characterized by mountain ranges and valleys.

NAFTA

North American Free Trade Agreement that reshaped Texas's export economy.

Balcones Escarpment

A geological feature that divides the Gulf Coastal Plains from the Interior Lowlands.

1980s oil bust

An economic downturn that significantly impacted Texas politics and economy.

Demographic shifts

Changes in the composition of a population that can influence political dynamics.

Aging Anglo voters

Older voters of Anglo descent who may influence political outcomes.

Under-mobilized Hispanic electorate

Hispanic voters who are less likely to participate in elections.

Economic diversification

The process of expanding the economy to include a variety of industries.

Urban representation

The political representation of urban areas in government.

Rural representation

The political representation of rural areas in government.

Three pillars of Texas political culture

Business dominance, one-party state, provincialism.

Sleeping giant in Texas politics

The under-mobilized Hispanic electorate.

Dominant political cultures in Texas

Traditionalistic and individualistic.

Event that launched the Texas oil industry

1901 Spindletop discovery.

Modern example of creative destruction

Cell phones replacing MP3 players, cameras, alarm clocks.

Texas example of creative destruction

1980s oil bust → rise of technology and healthcare.

Geographic feature dividing Gulf Coastal Plains and Great Plains

The Balcones Escarpment.

Region including Fort Worth

Interior Lowlands.

Region including Houston

Gulf Coastal Plains.

Region including Austin

Great Plains (eastern edge).

Region including El Paso

Basin and Range Province.

Highest point in Texas

Guadalupe Peak.

Technology Corridor

High-tech region between Dallas and San Marcos.

Trade agreements reshaping Texas's economy

NAFTA and USMCA.

Political impact of older Anglo voters

High turnout; influence on taxes, healthcare, cultural policy.

Political impact of younger Hispanic voters

Potential long-term power if mobilized.

Fastest-growing group in percentage terms

Asian Texans.

City anchoring the Basin and Range Province

El Paso.

City anchoring the Interior Lowlands

Fort Worth.

City central to global energy and healthcare

Houston.

Austin's modern economic identity

"Silicon Hills" — high tech hub.

Main consequence of the 1980s oil bust

Forced economic diversification.

Likely future political color of Texas

Purple (competitive).

Type of economy defining early Texas

Cotton and cattle agriculture.

Infrastructure connecting the Texas Triangle

Interstates 35, 45, and 10.

City closest to Big Bend

El Paso.

Mountain range including Guadalupe Peak

Guadalupe Mountains.

Mountain range found in West Texas

Davis Mountains.

Federal space center located in Houston

NASA's Johnson Space Center.

Median age of Texans compared to the U.S.

Younger (35 vs. 38).

Texas comparison to U.S. in income

Less affluent on average.

Texas comparison to U.S. in education

Fewer adults with bachelor's degrees (statewide).

Cultural values emphasizing elite rule and limited government

Traditionalistic and individualistic cultures.