Chapter 4

 Understand the nature of ideologies, the differences between political conservatism and political liberalism, and the way ideologies relate to the major political parties.  Discuss the way families, schools, churches, and media socialize citizens to adopt certain ideologies.  Define the concept of “interest,” and discuss how interests reinforce or contradict socialization in persuading people to adopt certain ideologies or vote for certain parties. 2

 Briefly describe the history of the Democratic and Republican parties in Texas, and the importance of some of its third parties.  Sketch the general functions of political parties, and their specific organization in Texas.  Summarize the typical social support for the parties in Texas, and explain why the Democratic party faces an uncertain future. 3

4 This wired Latina executive and Anglo cowboy in rural Texas symbolize the vast differences in lifestyles that political parties must try to bridge. (p. 104) Courtesy of the Texas Department of Transportation.

 Ideology –beliefs and values about:  The nature of “the good life” and “the good society”  The relationship between government and the economy  Moral values and how to achieve them  How government is to conduct itself 5

 Conservatives—prefer to have free markets regulate the economy  Government should regulate personal behaviors  Tea Party “farther to the right”  Liberals—suspicious of unregulated markets  But less government regulation of personal behavior 6

 Texans’ ideology generally conservative  43% conservative, 17% liberals, 36% moderates  Discussion: how does Texas’s mix of traditionalistic and individualistic political cultures produce political conservatives? 7

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 Family  Most important  Schools and churches  Media  Discussion: how does any ideology other than conservatism thrive in Texas?  Discussion: how does the media socialize us? 9

 Shared personal value or characteristic affected by government activity  People may support party favoring interests, whether or not ideologies match  “Cross-cutting” issues like immigration  Not all interests economic  Parties not consistently ideological 10

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 No parties prior to Texas joining Union  Most Texans Democrats thereafter  Civil War intensified party divisions  Resulted in one-party Dem. system until 1970s 12

 Little dissent to foster debate and spur voter interest  Only competition in Democratic primary  Discussion: why was this the case and what would the consequences be? 13

 Transition occurred gradually  1928—voting for Republican presidential candidate  2008—majority of state offices held by Republicans  Realignment to majority Republican  Policy differences substantial  Discussion: is Texas truly one-party dominant? 14

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 Win elections and guide public policy  Involve people in political process  Recruit political leaders  Communicate interests of individuals and groups  Add factual information to debate on policy alternatives  Structure nature of political conflict and debate  Moderate differences between groups 17

 U. S. parties weakly organized when compared to other democracies  Texas parties weaker than other states  Discussion: what are the causes and consequences of Texas’s weaker parties? 18

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 Focus—selecting and electing candidates in primary and general elections  Membership—determined by voting  No party rolls  Ex. “affiliated Democrats” 20

 6,000+ precincts in Texas  Precinct convention held after polls close  Participants select delegates to county convention, propose policy, choose precinct chairperson  County conventions send delegates to state convention 21

 June of even- numbered years  Certify party nominees for general election  Write party platform  Select members of the State Executive Committee 22  Name delegates to national party committee  In presidential years, select “at-large” delegates to national party convention  Select slate of presidential electors

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 Internal party policy disputes common  In recent years, Democrats dominated by liberal faction  Republicans dominated by Christian Right  Discussion: what issues have split the Democratic Party and what issues have split the Republican Party conventions? 24

 Primary system lessens importance of party platforms  Discussion: why are the party platforms said not to be extremely important to political candidates in Texas?  Discussion: how can they still be of use to voters? 25

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 “Skeleton” structure—dormant between election years  Precinct Chair  County Executive Committee  District Executive Committee  State Executive Committee 28

 Not “responsible” parties  No centralized party control over nominations, financing, or enforcement of party platforms  Individual candidates decide personal policy stands 29

 Discussion: what makes Texas parties weak and what are the consequences of this weakness—for lawmaking, voters, and issues? 30

 Political conflict disorganized  Confusion during lawmaking  Speakers frequently appoint members of the other party as committee chairs  National partisanship beginning to trickle down to Texas 31

 Republicans  Discussion: what are the factions within the Republican party and what issues divide them?  Republicans weak  Where Mexican-Americans in majority  In central Texas  In central cities  Along Louisiana border 32

 Candidates and activists tend to be  Anglo  Middle or upper class  Businesspersons or professionals  Evangelical Protestants  Exceptions? 33

 Legacy of Old South  Conservative on social issues  Less predictable on economic issues  Populism to protect the weak  East Texas, small cities, and rural areas  Base similar to Republicans, with addition of workers 34

 Government active in economic affairs  Not personal lives  Strongest  Along the border, some of Gulf Coast  East / East Central Texas  In Austin, El Paso, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi 35

 Uneasy coalition  Labor unions  African-Americans  Mexican- Americans  Lawyers  Teachers  Other professions  Discussion: why is this an “uneasy” coalition? 36

 39% identify Democrat, 17% identify liberal  With minority population growth liberal Democrats should gain strength  Discussion: what is the challenge for Democratic campaign strategists given these factions? 37

 Texas has had viable third parties  Populists  Today’s third parties find it more difficult  Discussion: why is third party success difficult in Texas? Should we change these rules and how would politics and policy be affected? 38

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 Generally candidates must have support of major party to win  Two independents ran for governor in 2006  Discussion: what explains the appeal of the Libertarians and the Tea Party?  Discussion: can the Tea Party become a true third party? 40