Texas Political Culture, Constitution, and Federal System: Key Concepts for Students

Government

The institution through which a society makes and enforces laws and policies.

Politics

The process of deciding who gets what, when, and how; how power and resources are distributed.

Political Culture

Shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about how government should function and politics should operate.

Texas's Political Culture

Traditionalistic-individualistic — stresses limited government, individual responsibility, free markets, and deference to elites.

Traditionalistic

Government dominated by elites, guided by tradition.

Individualistic

Government should maintain order so individuals can pursue economic self-interest.

U.S. Political Culture

Liberty, equality, democracy.

Texas Political Culture

Economic freedom, limited regulation, skepticism toward social welfare, and pride in independence.

One-Party State

1870s-1970s: Democratic dominance; Since 2002: Republicans control every statewide office.

Importance of One-Party State

Long dominance discourages voter competition and alternative parties; Shapes state ideology and policymaking consistency.

Provincialism

Narrow, self-interested worldview tied to rural values and limited government.

Public Lands

Texas retained its public lands when joining the U.S. in 1845.

Importance of Public Lands

Allowed Texas to sell/lease land to fund education (Permanent School Fund, Permanent University Fund); Kept mineral rights (oil & gas revenues); Ensured long-term fiscal independence from federal control.

Texas Economy (Agrarian Era)

1800s: Cotton and cattle dominated.

Texas Economy (Oil Boom)

1900s: Spindletop (1901) launched petroleum wealth.

Texas Economy (Post-WWII Industrial Era)

Manufacturing, defense, and technology expansion.

Texas Economy (Modern Diversification)

High-tech, finance, trade, and healthcare, with global connections.

Railroad Commission

Created 1891; originally regulated railroads but later oil & gas.

NAFTA

Created free trade between U.S., Mexico, Canada; Texas became a major exporter.

USMCA

Updated NAFTA; strengthened labor and digital trade protections.

Population Growth

Over 30 million residents; fastest-growing large state.

Demographics of Texas

40 % Hispanic, 40 % White, 13 % Black, 5 % Asian; Median age lower than U.S. average; 85 % urban / 15 % rural — urban areas trending Democratic.

Definition of Constitution

A constitution is a written framework establishing powers, duties, and limits of government.

Texas Constitution

Lengthy, detailed, highly amended (500+ amendments).

Formal Institutions

The three branches that carry out governmental functions: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

Sovereignty

Supreme power or authority.

Reserved Powers

Powers held by states as defined in the 10th Amendment.

U.S. Constitution

Short, consisting of 7 Articles.

Texas Constitution (1876)

Extremely long and detailed constitution.

Amendments in U.S. Constitution

27 total amendments.

Amendments in Texas Constitution

500 + amendments.

Bill of Rights (U.S.)

First 10 amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

Bill of Rights (Texas)

Article 1 of the Texas Constitution, placed first.

Government Structure (U.S.)

Strong central powers.

Government Structure (Texas)

Weak plural executive and limited legislature.

Ease of Change (U.S.)

Difficult to amend.

Ease of Change (Texas)

Frequent amendments.

Seven Constitutions of Texas

The historical constitutions of Texas, including the 1827 Coahuila y Tejas and the 1876 Current Constitution.

Mexican Constitution of 1824

Created a federal republic of Mexico; merged Texas with Coahuila, limiting self-governance.

Republic of Texas (1836)

Created an independent nation; mirrored U.S. model; legalized slavery.

Conditions for U.S. Entry

Texas kept public lands, assumed Republic's debt, could divide into five states, and retained public-land ownership.

Stephen F. Austin

Known as the Father of Texas; led early Anglo settlements and negotiated colonization.

Foundations of Independence Movement

Anglo settlers and Tejanos seeking local autonomy, economic freedom, and continuation of slavery.

Texas Declaration of Independence

Modeled on the U.S. Declaration; listed grievances against Santa Anna for violating liberty and representation rights.

Independent Republic (1836-1845)

Texas was independent for nine years due to U.S. fears of war with Mexico and dispute over slavery.

Constitution #2 (1845 - Statehood)

Refined 1836 model; bicameral legislature, governor, judiciary, and additional rights.

Unique Features of Republic of Texas

Allowed slavery and borrowed heavily from the U.S. Constitution and southern ideals.

Constitution #4 (1861)

Needed after secession; replaced 'United States' with 'Confederate States.'

Sam Houston

Opposed secession; removed from office for refusing Confederate oath.

Texas Ordinance of Secession (1861)

Formal document withdrawing Texas from the Union; emphasized slavery and states' rights.

Role of Slavery

Integral to Texas's economy and social structure pre-Civil War; a major factor in secession and constitutional change.

Constitutions #5 & #6 (Reconstruction)

#5 (1866): Presidential Reconstruction — mild reforms, minimal Black rights; #6 (1869): Congressional Reconstruction — granted rights to freedpeople, strengthened governor.

Federal Reconstruction Acts

Provided the U.S. constitutional basis for imposing Reconstruction.

Constitution #7 (1876)

Written after backlash to centralized 1869 Constitution; remains the current Texas Constitution.

Themes of Constitution #7

Limited government, local control, low taxes, legislative restrictions.

Key Articles of Constitution #7

1 Bill of Rights, 2 Powers of Government, 3 Legislative, 4 Executive, 5 Judicial, 17 Amendment Process.

Sharpstown Scandal (1971-72)

Banking fraud involving state officials; led to near-constitutional convention in 1974 to reform state government.

V. O. Key

Political scientist who analyzed state roles in federalism; emphasized Texas's conservative dominance and limited participation culture.

Federalism

A system dividing power between national and state governments.

Police Powers

State powers to legislate for public health, safety, morals, and welfare.

Adaptability of U.S. Federalism

Flexible due to constitutional ambiguity, political negotiation, judicial interpretation, and changing needs.

Sovereignty & the Constitution

Under the Articles of Confederation, sovereignty rested with states; the U.S. Constitution vested ultimate sovereignty in the people.

Federal vs. State Powers

Federal: Coin money, regulate interstate commerce, declare war; State: Conduct elections, establish local governments, regulate intrastate trade, police powers; Shared: Taxation, courts, law enforcement.

Nullification Crisis (1832-33)

South Carolina tried to nullify federal tariffs; President Jackson rejected it, reinforcing national supremacy.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Established implied powers via the Necessary & Proper Clause; states cannot tax federal institutions.

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

Expanded Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce.

Article IV Section 4

Guarantees each state a republican form of government and federal protection against invasion/domestic violence.

Dual vs. Cooperative Federalism

Dual ('Layer-cake'): Clear separation of federal & state powers (pre-1930s); Cooperative ('Marble-cake'): Shared responsibilities & funding (New Deal onward).

Coercive Federalism

When the federal government uses grants or mandates to pressure states (e.g., education testing, Medicaid).

Equal Protection Clause

Limits discriminatory laws as per the 14th Amendment. Example: Texas's past voter ID and redistricting cases.

Voting Rights Act (1965)

Prohibited racial discrimination in voting; required federal oversight (preclearance) in states with histories of suppression.

Preclearance

Federal approval required before changes to voting laws (until Shelby v. Holder 2013 removed formula).

Political Party

Organization seeking to influence policy by electing candidates.

Party Platform

Written statement of party's goals and policy positions.

Partisan Polarization

Widening ideological gap between Democrats and Republicans.

Political Socialization

Process by which individuals acquire political beliefs — influenced by family, religion, education, and culture.

Republicans

Dominant statewide; emphasize low taxes, limited government, conservative social policy.

Democrats

Concentrated in cities and South Texas; focus on education, healthcare, minority rights.

Precinct

Smallest unit of party structure; headed by a precinct chair.

County Executive Committee

Composed of precinct chairs; led by county chair.

State Executive Committee

62 members (one man and one woman from each senate district) plus state chair & vice chair.

Conventions

Precinct Convention → County Convention → State Convention to set platform & choose delegates.

Third Parties

Include Libertarian, Green, and Constitution parties; rarely win offices due to voting system and resources.

Duverger's Law

Single-member-district, first-past-the-post systems favor two major parties because only one winner per district.

First-Past-the-Post / Single-Member District

The candidate with the most votes wins.

Tea Party Movement

Emerged 2009; advocates limited government, fiscal conservatism.

One-Party State History

Shivercrat Movement (1950s): Conservative Democrats supported Republican Eisenhower.

Conservative Democrats

Opposed national liberal policies; common until 1990s.

Blue-Dog Democrats

Centrist, fiscally conservative faction that survived longer in rural areas but now nearly extinct.

Partisanship & Turnout of Minority Communities

African Americans: Overwhelmingly Democratic; high political engagement in cities.

Latinos

Growing electorate; lean Democratic but turnout varies due to age and registration barriers.