Texas+within+the+National+Political+Landscape+-+Political+Culture

Power Points



Description: In this section we explore the concept of "political culture" and the political culture of Texas is and how it differs from other states and the nation as a whole. We will try to understand why the culture of the state is what it is. Why is Texas a low tax. low services state? We will look at the factors that have led to this as well as those that have caused modifications in the political nature of the state.

Goals. After reading this material you shoud be able to address the following:

- What is political culture and why does it matter? - What are the differences between the traditionalistic, moralistic and individualistic cultures? What factors lead to states having a particular cultural disposition? - Why do the traditionalistic and individualistic cultures dominate the state, but not the moralistic? - What major events in Texas history were due to its cultural attitudes? How have these changed over time? What factors have driven that change? - What impact has the different stages in Texas' economic development had on the state's politics? - What did Madison tell us about the nature of conflict on the national, state and local level? Why is conflict almost inevitable? - Why does Texas' culture help explain its racial history and the conflict between it and the national government over how it treats minority groups? - Why does Texas seem to be a natural place for both the libertarian and evangelical movements to have bases? - How might regional differences help explain internal conflict within the states? Where do cities come into conflict with the state? - What do we know about the racial compostion of the state? Why does this matter?