Texas Politics & Government

Chapter 20

O’Connor and Sabato

American Government: Continuity and Change

Texas Politics & Government

In this chapter we will cover…1. Roots of Texas Politics & Government

2. Texas - Its People: Past and Present

3. Ideological Context

4. Texas Economy

5. Wealth & Poverty

Roots of Texas Politics and Government

Texas is big – 267, 339 square miles Texas is bigger than most states Texas has every major land form

Texas and Its People

20.9 million + Second largest state in population

Percentage in the populations US TEXAS

69 % Anglo 52 % 12 % African Americans 12 %

13 % Hispanic 32 %

Population Trends in Texas

Native Americans

Few Native American tribes left Native Americans – small percentage of

Texas population Little political influence Current issues- gambling on tribal property

Hispanics

Spanish cultural legacy (sixteenth century) values: equalitarianism, sense of duty, respect for physical prowess, gallantry

1836 (Texas independence) only 7000 to 8000 Spaniards

Political clout growing: e.g., year 2000 – 1855 elected officials, more than any other state

Most Hispanics elected are Democrats

African Americans

Few during Spanish rule (Mexico opposed slavery)

Slavery legalized in Republic of Texas African American population rapidly grew to more

than 20% by 1840 Most live in cities (Houston & Dallas) Elected officials roughly equal to population

proportions Prominent African Americans: Mayor Brown of

Houston & Mayor Kirk of Dallas

Asian Americans First Asian Americans - 1869 1900s - Japanese helped develop rice industry Asian Americans include: Vietnamese,

Chinese, Indians, Filipinos, Koreans Houston has largest Asian-American population

of any city in Texas 2000 census – almost 600,000 Asian

Americans in Texas

Anglos

Early Anglos from Tennessee, Kentucky, etc. Legalization of slavery in Texas Republic

increased Anglo population Anglos have dominated politics and

government since 1836 All governors have been Anglo as well as

virtually all state-wide officials As population composition changes - Anglo

dominance challenged also

Contemporary Texas

Mostly urban Rapid minority population growth Hispanics becoming principal ethnic group Issues: jobs, education, public policy (tax)

Ideological Context

Texas Creed Ideas that identify Texans (individualism,

equality, constitutionalism) Political Ideas - liberalism and conservatism Texas politics is about economics…

Economy of Texas

Then: cotton, cattle, and oil Now: more diverse, including construction,

high technology, and service Texas economy has been become globalized

Wealth & Poverty in Texas

Unequal distribution Gap between rich and the poor increased More poverty in Texas Poverty highest among Hispanics The poor are not “players” politically Texas is wealthy – Texans are not

Share of Income by Fifths in Texas