Texas’ Individualistic and Traditionalistic Culture: The Impact these Ideologies have had on Texas State Government and the Reasons People Support t

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Texas is a unique place with a colorful history of legendary cowboys

and tall tales. The state stretches over the middle section of the

southern United States. Texas has experienced shifts in governmental

control within the United States. French, Spanish, Mexican, and

Confederacy, and all having once been in charge, not to mention the

time Texas spent as an independent republic. Texas has had many battles

and wars within its borders, resulting in seven different constitutions

within a span of fifty years between each document. The people of Texas

are diverse and carry their “big can-do attitudes and accents”

(Pearson); making Texas a bigger than life state. The political culture

of Texas is impacted by two different subgroups of individualistic and

traditionalistic characteristics. The combination of traditionalism and

individualism has had a huge impact on the state and Texas’ seven

different constitutions. The shift in power between 1827 and 1876 has

impacted the political diversity Texas has today. Looking at the

specifics of these subcultures, the traditionalists believe government

should benefit the wealthy and powerful, and that government services

must be limited. The individualists believe people should take care of

themselves and not be dependent on the government for assistance.

Understanding both subgroups within Texas’ political cultures, and the

reasons why Texans support such values, beliefs, and, attitudes towards

one group have impacted the structured government in Texas.

Individualists believe citizens are responsible for themselves and

their own wellbeing. Their belief is to be responsible for whatever he

or she achieves in life, couple with a strong attachment to land. “The

landowners'...

... middle of paper ...

...xas depends on active voters, dynamic government, and a

willingness to accept change.

Works Cited Maxwell, William Earl. "Texas Politics Today." Google

Books. Web. 09 Feb. 2011. O'Connor, Karen J. "Chapter 20: The Context

for Texas Politics and

Government." American Government Continuity And Change, 2006 Election

Update Texas Edition. By Larry J. Sabato. Longman Pub Group, 2006. Web.

2 Mar. 2011.

http://wps.ablongman.com/long_oconnor_ag_8/33/8498/2175617.cw/content/i

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dex.html Poole, Chris. "Explaining Policy Differences Using Political

Culture."West

Texas A&M University. Web. 20 Mar. 2011.

http://www.wtamu.edu/~jrausch/polcul.html "THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC

MILIEU OF TEXAS POLITICS." Pearson Higher

Education. Web. 11 Mar. 2011.

http://www.pearsonhighered.com/assets/hip/us/hip_us_pearsonhighered/sam

plechapter/0136027245.pdf

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