POL 1133 - Final Exam Review

POL 1133 - Final Exam Review Chapter 1- The Environment of Texas Politics (6 Questions) The Growth of Texas (Population): ● Texas growth: o Natural growth, domestic immigration and international immigration ● Four of the largest 15 cities in the country o (Houston #4, San Antonio #7, Dallas #9 & Austin #13) ● Texas government will face major issues at the state to continues to grow Texas (General Info): ● 27,469,114 people in 2016 (Wall Street Journal) ● 27% increase from the 2000 Census total ● 85% Urban, 15% Rural Today ● Awarded 4 additional seats in U.S. House of Representatives in 2010 Texas Political Cultures: ● Politics is influenced by political culture ● Commonly shared attitudes, beliefs and core values about role of government ● Culture has translated into political conservatism ● Individualism and traditionalism have a dominated o No significant changes in political culture from beginning to today! ● One thing that doesn’t change = political ideology o Ideology= conservative Texas Individualism: ● Stable society, but intervene as little as possible o Limited government with restricted powers o Participation not obligatory in politics ● Important source comes from 19 th century frontier experience o 1995 Legalization of concealed handguns o Open-carry started January 1 st , 2016 Texas Traditionalism: ● Maintenance of the existing political order ● Public has limited power and influence o Most politics benefit ruling elite ● Favorable to business o Laws that favor business owners How Political Culture Works in Texas: ● Structure of state government in Texas fits the traditionalistic/individualistic model well o Government is relatively limited o Power is divided among many elected officials o Executive authority is weak o Few state regulations are placed on business o Regulation of the environment is modest ● Although the name of the dominant political party has changed, the state’s political culture has not Texas Exports (In Descending Order): 1. Computers and electronics (45.4 billion dollars) 2. Petroleum and coal products (44.1 billion dollars) 3. Chemicals (39.9 billion dollars) 4. Machinery (24.8 billion dollars) 5. Transportation equipment (23.2 billion dollars) Texas Demographics: ● 5 th fastest growing state in the nation ● In 2004, Texas has become a “majority- minority” state ● Today: Anglos 43.5%, Hispanics 38.6%, African-Americans 12.5% and Asians 4.5% ● Latinos are expected to have a plurality by 2020, majority by 2035