Pearson Longman PoliticalScienceInteractive Shea, Green, and Smith Living Democracy, Second Texas Edition Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics Decades of Change and Challenge Deregulation – Enron debacle Immigration from Mexico Texas’ uniqueness v. globalization Urbanization v. tradition of rural character

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics Decades of Change and Challenge Population growth -- shift from rural to urban Federal mandates Regressive tax system Social issues Challenges of the Twenty-first Century

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics Decades of Change and Challenge Myth of origin – Alamo – “Lone Star State” Texas Ranger – Individualism Frontier These myths relate to the Anglo population Texas Myths

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics The Political Culture of Texas Political Culture: The set of attitudes, beliefs, and sentiments which give order and meaning to a political process and which provide the underlying assumptions and rules that govern behavior in the political system Early colonists Frontier Historical Origins of Political Subcultures

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics The Political Culture of Texas Individualistic Subculture Government should interfere as little as possible in the private activities of its citizens while ensuring that adequate public facilities and a favorable business climate are available to permit individuals to pursue their self-interest. Moralistic Subculture Government’s primary responsibility is to promote the public welfare and it should actively use its authority and power to improve the social and economic well-being of its citizens. Traditionalistic Subculture Political power should be concentrated in the hands of a few elite citizens from established families or influential social groups, public policy should basically serve the interests of this small group.

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics The People of Texas

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics The People of Texas Three groups living on reservations Small minority Originally 23 groups Recent development of casinos on reservations Native Americans

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics The People of Texas Became a minority after Anglo immigration in 1820s and 1830s. Low of 4% of state population in % of population by Often considered second- class citizens in areas of greatest concentration. Hispanics

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics The People of Texas Many came as slaves in mid-1800s Increasing political power in certain areas African Americans

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics The People of Texas Two major patterns Early nineteenth century – immigration from Upper South – into Red River Valley Second wave after independence from Spain – settlers from Lower South By 1860, Anglos were 63% of the population Anglos

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics The People of Texas Growing, but small minority 3% of population in 2000 Asian Americans

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics The People of Texas Redistricting debates Budget crisis of 2003 Voting along ethnic lines Politics, Race, and Ethnicity

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics The Political Implications of Demographics Population increase The aging population Urbanization Population density Wealth and income distribution Education and literacy

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics The Political Implications of Demographics Urbanization: Process by which a predominantly rural society or area becomes urban.

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics Pathways Profile: Texas Compared to Other States #1 in the percentage of nonelderly population without health insurance in 2001 (25.9%). #2 in total resident population in 2002 (21,779,893). #2 in youngest median age in 2000 (32.3). #3 in gross state product in 2002 ($791.3 billion in current dollars). #3 in Hispanic population in 2000 (32%). #4 in the percentage of resident population under 18 in 2000 (28.2%). #5 in the lowest voter turnout in November of 2002 (33.1%). #6 in the percentage change in food stamp participation from 1997 to 2001 (32.8%).

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics The Economy of Texas Oil and natural gas – 27% of state’s economy in 1981 – hard hit in 1980s – bank failures High-tech industries

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics Economic Regions and Transnational Issues Houston—major port Metroplex region – finance, Federal Reserve South Texas Border Upper Rio Grande – close economic ties to Mexico

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics Economic Regions and Transnational Issues Often strained relations between Mexico and the U.S. Shared region, interests Transnational Regionalism The development of economic and social interdependence across national borders, as is occurring in South Texas and northern Mexico.

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics Economic Regions and Transnational Issues Twin plants, one in each country Not fully developed, but has created jobs Maquiladoras A set of policies initiated by Mexico in 1964 to stimulate economic growth along the U.S.–Mexican border.

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics Economic Regions and Transnational Issues Run by Free Trade Commission Some have questioned the benefits of NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement Treaty among the United States, Canada, and Mexico that created the world’s largest trading bloc, approved by the U.S. Congress in 1993 and designed to reduce tariffs and increase trade among the three countries.

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics Economic Regions and Transnational Issues

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics Economic Regions and Transnational Issues Most illegal immigrants enter the U.S. through Texas Not fully developed, but has created jobs Illegal Immigration

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 19: The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics Pathways of Action: The Complexity of the Illegal Immigration Issue Debate centers over the impact of illegal immigrants on the economy.