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