2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Government, Politics & Public Policy
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.

6. Political Culture Political Culture
Values, attitudes, traditions, habits, and general behavioral patterns developed over time affecting state and regional political life.

7. Types of Political Culture
Moralistic
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.

8. 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.

9. Texas Political Culture

10. The Politics of Geography
Source: Brown, et al. Practicing Texas Politics, 14th edition: page 8

11. The Politics of Geography
Source: Brown, et al. Practicing Texas Politics, 14th edition: page 8

12. The Politics of Geography
Source: Brown, et al. Practicing Texas Politics, 14th edition: page 8

13. Identified by Unique Geographic Regions
Texas Regions
Identified by Unique Geographic Regions

14. 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.

15. Texas Demography
Source: Brown, et al. Practicing Texas Politics, 14th edition: page 15.

16. Texas Population Distribution
Urbanization
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

17. 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

18. Texas Racial/Ethnic Groups
2008 U.S. Census Bureau Racial Categories (estimates)
White/Anglo
Hispanic
Black/African American
Asian
American Indian or Alaskan Native
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
Other or 2 or more races

19. 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

20. Texas Racial/Ethnic Group Trends
Decreasing number of Anglos
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

21. Students in Action
Student Kathy Casares depicts her family’s immigration story, and the actions she has taken to assist her community.

22. 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.

23. 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

24. Point/Counterpoint

25. 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

26. Texas New Economic Directions
Agriculture
Texas ranks 2nd 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

27. 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

28. Social & Economic Policy Issues
Demographics of Hispanics in Texas
Source: Pew Hispanic Research Center : Demographic Profile of Hispanics in Texas: 2008.

29. Social & Economic Policy Issues
Water
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

30. Social & Economic Policy Issues
Environmental Protection

31. Social & Economic Policy Issues
Education
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