1. Political Culture in Texas
GOVT 2306, Module 1

2. Political culture
Political culture refers to the widely held, deeply rooted political values of a society. Political scientist Daniel Elazar identifies three strains.

3. Individualistic Political Culture
yes
The individualistic political culture is an approach to government and politics that emphasizes private initiative with a minimum of government interference.
Does this sounds like Texas?

4. Traditionalistic Political Culture
yes
An approach to government and politics that sees the role of government as the preservation of tradition and the existing social order.
Does this sound like Texas?

5. Moralistic Political Cultureno
An approach to government and politics in which people expect government to intervene in the social and economic affairs of the state, promoting the public welfare and advancing the public good.
Does this sound like Texas?

6. Texas is a hybrid
Elazar believes that the political culture of Texas is a hybrid, including both traditionalistic and individualistic elements.

7. Implications
long history as a one-party state
low levels of voter turnout
social and economic conservatism
strong support for private business
opposition to big government
faith in individual initiative

8. Civic Culture
Rice and Sundberg focus on the concept of civic culture, which is a political culture that is conducive to the development of an efficient, effective government that meets the needs of its citizens in a timely and professional manner.

9. Elements of Civic Culture
Which, if any, of these sound like Texas?
Civic engagement: Citizens participate in the policymaking process in order to promote the public good.
Political equality: Citizens view each other as political equals with the same rights and obligations.
Solidarity, trust, and tolerance: Citizens feel a strong sense of fellowship with one another, tolerating a wide range of ideas and lifestyles.
Social structure of cooperation: Citizens are joiners, belonging to a rich array of groups, from recreational sports teams to religious organizations.

10. The Texas Civil Culture
Rice and Sundberg rank Texas 43rd among the states in terms of civic culture.

11. According to Elazar, the political culture of Texas can best be described as which of the following?
Moralistic
Moralistic and traditionalistic
Individualistic and traditionalistic
Individualistic and moralistic
The answer is C.
Quiz

12. What You Have Learned What is political culture?
How does Elazar define political culture?
How do Rice and Sundburg define political culture?
How do these scholars categorize the political culture of Texas?