Chapter 1: Objectives Identify Texas political party activists and government officials to inform participation in the political affairs of the state and its counties, cities, and special districts. Understand the foundations of Texas political culture and how its economic and social conservatism evolved.
Chapter 1: Objectives Define the four principal physical regions of Texas. Identify the four Texas counties that have a combined population of more than 40 percent of the state s population and explain this concentration.
Chapter 1: Objectives Understand the various industrial sectors that contribute to the Texas economy and their importance to the American economy as a whole. Explain the most important public policy decisions in Texas today with regard to the state s economy and social order.
Government, Politics & Public Policy Politics Conflict over resources, beliefs, and goals which may involve elections, laws, and influence of policy makers. Government Public institution with authority to allocate values through public policies. Public Policies Government action designed to meet a public need or goals as determined by elected or authorized officials.
Political Culture Political Culture - Values, attitudes, traditions, habits, and general behavioral patterns developed over time affecting state and regional political life.
Moralistic Types of Political Culture - Government should advance public good, and public participation is a duty. Individualistic - Government is limited to maintaining a stable society. Traditionalistic - Government is a vehicle to maintain the status quo and leadership.
Texas Political Culture Individualistic Influenced by frontier experience and inhabitants that created a sense of rugged individualism and limited government. Traditionalistic Influenced by Old South, elitism, political bosses (patrons), and conservatism.
Texas Political Culture
The Politics of Geography Source: Brown, et al. Practicing Texas Politics, 14th edition: page 8
The Politics of Geography Source: Brown, et al. Practicing Texas Politics, 14th edition: page 8
The Politics of Geography Source: Brown, et al. Practicing Texas Politics, 14th edition: page 8
Texas Regions Identified by Unique Geographic Regions
Texas Economic Geography Cattle Texas is #1 in Livestock production. Cotton Texas yields almost one-half of the nation s cotton supply. Oil Four of the ten largest oil fields are in Texas. Picken s Plan The BP oil spill has had a significant impact.
Source: Brown, et al. Practicing Texas Politics, 14th edition: page 15. Texas Demography
Urbanization Texas Population Distribution 85% of Texans live in metropolitan areas Suburbanization Explosive growth of relatively small towns and cities outside the corporate limits of a central city Metropolitanization Concentration of people in urban centers become linked in a single geographic entity
Texas Statistical Areas As defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget for funding purposes. Micropolitan statistical area one urban cluster with population between 10,000 to 50,000 42 in Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) free standing urbanized area with population minimum of 50,000 27 in Texas Combined Statistical Area geographic entity consisting of two or more adjacent core-based statistical areas (CBSA) 8 in Texas Metropolitan Division a county or group of counties within a CBSA with a core population of at least 2.5 million 2 in Texas
Texas Racial/Ethnic Groups 2008 U.S. Census Bureau Racial Categories (estimates) White/Anglo 47.3 Hispanic 36.4 Black/African American 11.2 Asian 3.3 American Indian or Alaskan Native 0.3 Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 0.1 Other or 2 or more races 1.0
Texas Racial/Ethnic Groups 2040 U.S. Census Bureau Racial Categories (estimates) White/Anglo 32.2 Hispanic* 52.6 Black/African American 9.5 Other 5.7 * Hispanic Majority
Decreasing number of Anglos Texas Racial/Ethnic Group Trends Increasing number of Hispanics Slow decline in the number of African Americans Increase in the number of Asian Americans Decline in the number of Native Americans on reservations Minority-Majority State
Students in Action Student Kathy Casares depicts her family s immigration story, and the actions she has taken to assist her community.
New Economic Directions The recession brought only a slight decline in the number of Fortune 500 companies. Texas is now tied with California with 57 of the 500 largest corporations. New industries have developed since the 1990s.
Texas New Economic Directions Energy Less reliance on oil revenue with increased investment in alternative energy programs High Technology Applies to research, development, manufacturing, and marketing of computers and other electronics Higher wages Increased state funding
Point/Counterpoint
Texas New Economic Directions Biotechnology Research, development, and production of medicines, chemicals, and other products Investments and research combine both private and public (educational institutions) funds Services Fastest growing economic sectors involving health-care, personal services, commercial services, education, banking, real estate, and merchandising institutions
Texas New Economic Directions Agriculture Texas ranks 2 nd in Agriculture Production Size of Texas farms and the number of Texas farmers on the decline Trade North American Free Trade Agreement increased the trade between Mexico and Texas Tensions along the border due to narcotics trade and increased drug gang violence
Social & Economic Policy Issues Immigration Debate many stakeholders involved - Latino citizens - Business/Industry - Human Rights Advocates - Safety Advocates - Deficit Reduction Groups - Undocumented aliens & more 2006 Secure Fence Act Arizona SB 1070 Debate
Social & Economic Policy Issues Demographics of Hispanics in Texas Source: Pew Hispanic Research Center : Demographic Profile of Hispanics in Texas: 2008.
Water Social & Economic Policy Issues By 2050, water in Texas will meet the needs of 70% of the population Texas Water Development Board conducts state-wide water planning as mandated by law Environmental Protection Balance between government and industry Covered by state law and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Federal EPA enforcement of Clean Air Act
Social & Economic Policy Issues Environmental Protection
Education Social & Economic Policy Issues Increasing demand meets decline in the number of teachers Teacher salary concerns Federal Involvement: Race to the Top Program Poverty 1 out of every 5 Texans live in Poverty 1/3 of all Texans earn less than $20,000/year