Unit 1-Texas Politics and Demographics

Perpetuating an Image: The Cowboy President and the “Secessionist” Governor

• George W. Bush's Image
    - Described as the “cowboy president”
    - Predecessors like Theodore Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan also portrayed as cowboys
    - Cowboy mythology resonates with Americans and symbolizes leadership style
      - Bush's features: stylish Stetson, large belt buckle, folksy demeanor
      - Scrambled words in a homespun manner, staged photo opportunities on his ranch, enjoyed driving guests in Jeep
    - Cowboy imagery generated positive press despite criticisms

Perpetuating an Image: Governor Rick Perry

• Rick Perry's Remarks
    - Successor to Bush in Texas governorship
    - Suggested Texas might secede from the Union over federal stimulus money in 2009
      - Did not advocate for secession directly
    - Received national derision, highlighted the “goofy” remarks typical of Texas officeholders

Decades of Change and Challenge

• Texas's Challenges in the 21st Century
    - Early signs of oversized problems in Texas
      - Enron Corp. collapse led to job losses and pensions destroyed
      - Damaged public confidence in corporate America
    - Enron debacle as precursor to near-collapse of financial industry (2008)
      - Resulted in the “great recession” affecting the U.S. and global economies
    - Texas fared better than most states, but many residents lost jobs and homes
    - Slowdown in economic activity, dried up credit markets, reduced revenues for state governments

Immigration Debates

• Renewed Debate Over Illegal Immigration
    - Texas in the center of discussions regarding border security with Mexico
    - Management of thousands of undocumented workers seeking better lives

Natural Disasters and Social Services

• Impact of Hurricanes on Texas
    - 2005 hurricanes (Katrina and Rita) challenged Texas’s ability to provide education and social services
    - Many residents not fully recovered when Hurricane Ike struck in 2008

Hurricane Harvey Impact

• Hurricane Harvey (2017)
    - Category 4 storm, hit Texas on August 25, 2017
    - Caused $125 billion in damages, according to the National Hurricane Center
    - Affected 13 million people across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky
    - Governor Greg Abbott sought over $125 billion in federal relief

Persistent Issues in Texas

• Challenges Confronting Texas
    - Texas faces population growth demands, economic uncertainties, environmental issues, climate change, infrastructure needs
    - Legacy of individualism and limited government complicates adjustments to changes in economy, society, political climate

Public Understanding of Government

• Public Perception of Government
    - Many Texans lack knowledge of state and local governments
    - Government viewed as an entity that does things to citizens, rather than for them
    - Described often in terms of bureaucracy and inefficiency

Political Campaigns and Participation

• Perceptions of Political Campaigns
    - Viewed as organized mud wrestling with candidates vilifying one another
    - Resulting mistrust leads to decreased voter participation
    - Common expectation for public services, but reluctance to pay for them via increased taxation
    - Politicians promise more services without addressing costs

Policy Choices in Texas

• Policy Questions Regarding Texas Spending
    - Low ranking in public education expenditures compared to other states
    - Highly regressive tax system; low-income citizens pay higher proportions of income in taxes
    - Willingness to fund construction of highways but low welfare funding

Texas Constitution and Party Politics

• Political Landscape Questions
    - Contentment with an outdated state constitution
    - Transition from a one-party Democratic state to Republican dominance
    - Inquiry into whether power is concentrated among elites or distributed
    - Disparity issues: do citizens feel they are paying more but receiving less?

Texas Myths

• Understanding Myths in Texas Culture
    - Myths serve as narratives that codify moral and cultural values
    - Provide interpretations of Texas’s history and social landscape
    - The Battle of the Alamo as a founding myth of Texas independence and uniqueness

The Texas Ranger and Cowboy Myths

• Cultural Symbolism
    - Myth of Texas Ranger as a resilient symbol of overcoming adversity
    - Cowboy imagery represents rugged individualism, self-help, reluctance to rely on government
    - Exploitative at times in political rhetoric and limited public assistance for health care

Historical Exclusion in Texas Myths

• Limitations of Texan Myths
    - Predominantly reflect experiences of the white Anglo population
    - Minorities (African Americans, Hispanics, Asians) largely excluded from political life until recent decades

Changes in Minority Representation

• Political Gains of Minorities
    - Over the past 30 years, African Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans have gained political and economic power
    - These groups are now a majority of the Texas population, shifting the cultural narrative

The Political Culture of Texas

• Defining Political Culture
    - Defined as the set of attitudes, beliefs, and sentiments giving meaning to political process
    - Includes beliefs about the role of government and relationship to citizens overall

Developing Political Culture

• Formation Process
    - Developed through socialization agents: family, religious institutions, peers, schools
    - Diversity levels influencing political action and perception of government

Conservatism in Texas

• Texas’s Brand of Conservatism
    - Skepticism toward government intervention in economy
    - Favor low taxes, minimal state services, and free market capitalism
    - Belief that life quality is a personal responsibility, not a public issue

Business-Oriented Conservatism

• Support for Business Growth
    - Some conservatives willing to support government role in business promotion
    - Support for infrastructure spending, strict labor union regulations

Social Conservatism

• Social Values Emphasis
    - Advocacy for government involvement in moral behavior
    - Focus on law enforcement, drug control, immigration policies
    - Promotion of traditional values against gambling, abortion, and LGBTQ rights

Texas Liberalism

• Overview of Liberal Views
    - Liberals view state government as a tool for societal benefit
    - Advocate for equality and protection against institutional discrimination

Liberal Economic Views

• Position on Wealth Distribution and Government Role
    - Government intervention to counteract economic inequality
    - Support taxation of wealthy to fund social services for disadvantaged populations

Regional Political Subcultures

• Subcultures in American Political Landscape
    - Daniel Elazar's theory on three political subcultures: moralistic, individualistic, traditionalistic
    - Each subculture has different historical roots and regional implications

Moralistic Subculture

• Political Ideals
    - Politics as a pursuit of the common good; governments serve to promote welfare
    - Political participation as a duty; high standards for public officials

Individualistic Subculture

• Political Functioning
    - Politics perceived as market-driven, limited government focused on public demands
    - Government's role is stabilizing society for individual pursuits

Traditionalistic Subculture

• Hierarchical Political Arrangement
    - Limits influence of the public; concentration of power among elites
    - Public policy reflects elite interests rather than mass participation

Native American Population in Texas

• Current Status
    - Three small tribes (Alabama-Coushatta, Tigua, Kickapoo) with minimal influence in politics
    - Historical displacement and marginalization of Native American groups in Texas

Historical Context of Native Americans

• 19th Century Dynamics
    - Conflict and displacement during European settlement
    - President Houston's attempts at peace contrasted with Lamar's extermination policies

Contemporary Native American Economic Ventures

• Casino Gambling Context
    - Legal under federal law but conflicts with Texas law for some tribes
    - Economic potential seen in casinos, yet legal changes for inclusion are unsuccessful

Hispanic Population Dynamics

• Demographic Trends
    - Decline and resurgence in political power due to immigration and birth rates
    - Currently spans a significant percentage of the population, projected to surpass 50% by 2035

Increase in Hispanic Political Influence

• Impact on Political Systems
    - Growth in Hispanic population challenges traditional political structures dominated by Anglos
    - Increases in political clout impacting local governance and representation

African American Settlement History

• Demographic Changes
    - Minimal presence during colonization; significant increase linked to cotton and slavery
    - Post-war discrimination limits political and economic participation until later decades

Anglo Population Composition

• Migration Patterns
    - Anglos influenced by varying subcultures, leading to regional divides post-independence
    - Historical context of slavery and settlement shapes socio-political landscape

Asian-American Growth in Texas

• Demographic Increase
    - Growth from 0.8% in 1980 to 3.4% by 2008
    - Significant contributions to economy and politics, particularly in urban centers like Houston

Politics and Racial Violence

• Contemporary Issues
    - Declining overt racism; however, racial violence and discrimination still persist
    - Historical injustices addressed through legislative and civil rights advancements

Legal Progress for Minorities

• Impact of Federal Legislation
    - Unconstitutional practices targeting minorities; legal challenges led to increased electoral access
    - Evidence of ongoing discrimination in housing and employment despite progress

Race and Policy Dynamics

• Race-Centric Policy Issues
    - School finance and districting debates predominantly reflect economic inequalities along racial lines
    - Ethnic divides evident in social services and local governance

Demographic Shifts in Political Participation

• Population Growth Impact
    - Changing demographics affect political landscape; significant growth from migration and high birth rates
    - Shift from one-party Democratic control to Republican dominance due to population changes

Language and Citizenship in Texas

• Language Policy Concerns
    - Noncitizen population issues complicate political participation; bilingual education and language access become policy subjects

Urbanization Trends

• Urban Growth in Texas
    - Transition from rural to predominantly urban population, with 88% living in urban areas by 2008
    - Local governments struggle with cross-jurisdictional issues due to urban expansion

Population Density Challenges

• Impacts of Urbanization on Governance
    - Density leads to various problems including traffic and public service demands
    - Urban-rural political conflicts become increasingly prominent

Wealth and Income in Texas

• Income Inequality Overview
    - Texas ranks fifth nationally in income inequality; the gap between rich and poor continues to widen
    - Poverty rates significantly higher among minority populations compared to non-Hispanic whites

Education and Employment Trends

• Relationship of Education to Economic Opportunity
    - New job market trends indicate increased need for education; low-skilled labor diminishing
    - Education level correlates with civic engagement and political efficacy

Legal Developments in Immigration Policy

• Ongoing Debates on Immigration Reform
    - Historical context of immigration shaped by proximity to Mexico; contemporary debates fueled by political changes

DACA and Its Implications

• Overview of DACA Program
    - Introduced by President Obama; temporary relief for undocumented individuals brought as children
    - Participants received various benefits, including work permits and educational access

Changes to DACA under Trump

• Program Termination
    - Trump’s administration ended DACA; concerns arose about executive overreach in immigration policy
    - Legislative push needed for new policy framework following program cancellation

Border Controversies in Texas

• Tensions with Mexico
    - Issues of drug violence, political corruption, and economic stability in light of immigration debates

Supreme Court Decisions in Texas

• Landmark Cases
    - Smith v. Allwright (1944): Invalidated whites-only primaries (15th Amendment)
    - Sweatt v. Painter (1950): Addressed segregation in law schools (14th Amendment)
    - Hernandez v. State of Texas (1954): Denied right to service on juries to Latinos (14th Amendment)
    - Brown v. Board of Education (1954): Outlawed public school segregation (14th Amendment)
    - Roe v. Wade (1973): Established abortion rights (14th Amendment)
    - Lawrence v. Texas (2003): Decriminalized homosexual conduct (14th Amendment)
    - Obergefell v. Hodges (2015): Affirmed same-sex marriage rights (14th Amendment)