Instructor's Manual to Accompany:
The World of Texas Politics
Chapter 1: The History, Culture, and Economy of Texas
Outline:
I. A Tale of Two Texans: The traditional view of government.
II. Historical Background: Where modern Texans originated.
III. Political Culture: Traditionalistic, Individualistic, Moralistic.
IV. Political History: How Texas political institutions and practices became what they are.
V. Demographics: Who are modern Texans and where do they live and work?
A. Population Growth and Change
B. Consequences of Population Demographics
C. Economic Characteristics of Texas
D. The Texas Economic Base
VI. Summary and Conclusion: Explains itself.
VII. The End of the Tale: Welfare for the rich and rugged individualism for the poor.
Summary:
Chapter 1 examines the general history of Texas and its political culture so that the reader will understand the conservative nature of the state’s politics. It traces population growth and the evolution of the state’s economy from a rural agrarian society to a modern urban industrial state. The chapter examines the changing nature of the Texas economy from one based on extractive industries to its current reliance on high tech industries and retail sales and service. Finally, it looks at how wealth is distributed in the state.
Discussion Topics:
1. What lessons can be drawn from "A Tale of Two Texans," and "The End of the Tale?"
2. Find examples of the traditionalistic/individualistic political culture in modern Texas.
3. What are some of the political implications of current trends in population distribution?
4. What is the pattern of income distribution in Texas, and what does that distribution suggest about the distribution of political power.
Individual or Small Group Projects:
1. Identify at least one case of public/ private cooperation in your community or state and identify the beneficiaries.
2. Make a list of services which are required by urban dwellers that may be optional or even unnecessary for persons living in very small towns and rural areas.
3. Find answers to the following questions:
a. What is the current federal minimum wage?
b. How much will a person earn in a year if she/her works full time in a minimum wage job? Assume that both parents in a family are working full time for minimum wages. What is their combined income for a year?
c. Assume that a woman and her husband each work full time for minimum wages, how much is deducted from each weekly pay check for social security and income taxes?
d. What does the federal government consider to be the poverty level of income for a family of four?
Essay Questions:
1. What are the major features of the individualistic, traditionalistic, and moralistic political cultures?
2. Which is the largest single racial/ethnic group in Texas; which one is growing the fastest; and what are some of the implications of this growth?
3. Suggest at least three reasons that income distribution is uneven in Texas?
4. What are some of the political consequences of the shift in economic activity away from extractive industries to high tech industries and retail and service activities.
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