Texas Political Parties and Ideologies

Chapter 4: Political Parties in Texas

• Political parties are essential for Texas’s political system.
• Party identification influences voter preferences and political behavior.
• Parties play a crucial role in recruiting and electing candidates.
• Texas uses a Single-Member District (SMD) system, which favors a two-party system.

Political Ideologies in Texas

• Conservatism advocates minimal government intervention in the economy.
• Fiscal conservatives prioritize budget management.
• Social conservatives focus on traditional values.
• Liberalism favors economic regulation and protection of individual rights.
• Neoliberalism supports limited government in moral issues.
• Texas political ideology is complex.
• Some Republicans lean towards libertarianism.

Electoral Trends in Texas

• Texas shifted from a Democratic to a Republican state over time.
• Straight-ticket voting has varied in importance.
• Democrats are strong in populous urban areas and among underrepresented minorities.
• Third parties influence Texas politics occasionally, especially historically.
• Examples of third parties: Populist Party and La Raza Unida.
• Libertarians and Greens have low vote shares.
• Independent candidates struggle due to lack of party affiliation and limited resources.
• No independent candidate has won the Texas governorship since 1859.

Political Party Evolution in Texas

• From 1870s-1970s Texas was a one-party (Democratic) state after Reconstruction.
• The Democratic Party split into liberal and conservative factions.
• Republican support grew in the 1950s and 1960s.
• The Civil Rights Movement reshaped Texas politics.
• From 1970s-1990s Latinos and African Americans became more politically active.
• Republicans gained momentum in the 1970s and 1980s, culminating in the 1990s.
• From 2000-2016 Republicans dominated Texas politics after George W. Bush’s victory.
• Redistricting in 2003 solidified Republican control.
• Post-2016 Democrats began to show resurgence, especially among younger voters and people of color.
• Texas's political future remains uncertain.

Political Party System in Texas

• The party structure operates on four levels: precinct, county, district, and state.
• State and local parties often act independently of national policies.

Temporary Party Organization

• Precinct Conventions are the lowest level.
• At precinct conventions, resolutions are adopted and delegates are selected.
• County/District Conventions elect state delegates and adopt resolutions.
• State Conventions are biennial meetings to conduct party business and draft rules.
• State conventions select national delegates in presidential years.

Party Structure Details

• The Precinct Chair registers voters, organizes campaigns, and manages phone banks.
• County/District Committees run local conventions and support campaigns.
• The State Executive Committee oversees statewide strategy and candidate recruitment.

Selection of National Convention Delegates

• Democrats allocate delegates proportionally based on candidate support.
• Republicans require a 20% threshold for delegate allocation.

Party Influence in Texas

• Texas has been solidly Republican in recent decades.
• Democrats need broader support to gain control in Texas.
• Democrats are gaining support from young and minority voters.

Key Terms

• Realignment is a shift in political party support.
• An example of realignment is Texas's transition from Democratic to Republican dominance.
• Straight-Ticket Voting is voting for all candidates of one party on a ballot.
• Precinct Convention is local meetings where party members gather to influence decisions and select delegates.
• The State Executive Committee is the party leadership overseeing campaigns and strategies at the state level.

Chapter 5: Voter Participation and Elections in Texas

• Individual Characteristics and Voter Participation
• Different personal and demographic factors influence voter participation in Texas.
• Socioeconomic factors like education level, income, and age impact voting.
• Political interest and civic duty motivate individuals to vote.
• Voter mobilization efforts encourage people to vote.

How Voters Choose Candidates

• Candidate Favorability increases the likelihood of voters supporting them.
• Campaign issues, such as the response to COVID-19, impact voter decisions.
• Strong party identity guides voting decisions, especially in lower-profile races.
• Voting patterns vary based on age, race, and geographic location.

The Impact of Texas’s Changing Demographics on Voting

• Texas’s population is becoming increasingly diverse.
• Latino and Asian voters have growing political influence.
• But their impact on statewide elections is still limited.
• White Texans remain the largest voting demographic.
• White Texans are showing growing educational and generational divides.
• Black Texans have made significant strides in political representation.
• The impact of Black Texans is closely tied to the state's political dynamics.

The Evolving Role of Gender and LGBTQ+ in Texas Politics

• Gender and LGBTQ+ issues have become more prominent in Texas politics.
• Women's political representation in Texas has increased since the 1990s.
• Societal barriers still limit the number of women seeking office.
• LGBTQ+ individuals have gained political ground.
• There have been elections of openly gay leaders and LGBTQ+ candidates.
• Legislative issues such as non-discrimination laws remain a priority.

Understanding Election Administration

• Primary Elections determine each party's nominee for general elections.
• General Elections are held in November of even-numbered years.
• These general elections decide who will hold public office.
• Special Elections fill vacancies or decide on issues that arise between general elections.

Key Terms & Concepts

• Voter Turnout is the percentage of eligible voters who actually cast a vote in an election.
• Voter Mobilization involves efforts to encourage eligible voters to participate in the electoral process.
• Party Affiliation is the political party with which a voter identifies or supports.
• The Electoral System governs how elections are conducted and how votes are counted.
• Voter Disenfranchisement involves limiting or restricting voting rights.

Chapter 6: The Media and Texas Politics

Comparison of How Texans Get Their Information Today vs. Past Patterns

• Texans now access news through a broader range of sources compared to past patterns:
• There has been a shift from traditional to digital media.
• The internet and social media have taken a central role.
• Print media, especially newspapers, has seen a significant decline.
• Texans rely on conversations with friends and family to gain news.
• Texans cross-check news gained from family and friends with media sources.
• Texans’ news source preferences differ based on topic and geographical location.

The Roles of the Media in Texas Politics

• The media provides information.
• The media shapes public opinion.
• The media sets the political agenda.
• The media ensures accountability.
• The media serves as a vital source for political information.
• The media keeps the public informed about government actions and policies.
• The media influences public understanding and sentiment through coverage and framing of political issues.
• By choosing which stories to highlight, the media sets the agenda for political discussions.
• The media checks government actions and exposes scandals through investigative journalism.

The Media’s Roles in Modern Texas Election Campaigns, Movements, and Popular Participation

• Traditional media, like TV and newspapers, still provide coverage of elections.
• The importance of digital platforms is rising.
• Social media enables new forms of popular participation.
• It empowers individuals and movements, especially outsiders, to gain visibility.
• Digital media has created more direct interactions between politicians, voters, and political movements.
• Social media and digital platforms have amplified protests and activism.
• This enables citizens to organize and communicate rapidly.

The Issue of Media Bias in Texas

• Public trust in media is decreasing due to the perceived bias in news reporting.
• Texas media generally strives for objectivity.
• Ideological biases are present in some media outlets.
• Ideological Biases are especially present in consumer-driven news sources.
• The perception of bias reduces the public’s trust in media.
• This affects the quality of democratic discourse.

Representation of Women and People of Color in Texas Media

• Women and people of color are underrepresented both as media producers (journalists) and as subjects in media content.
• There has been some improvement in the portrayal of non-white Texans.
• Stereotypes persist in media.
• Spanish-language media has grown in Texas
• This reflects the state’s diversity and stirs complex public sentiment about race and ethnicity.

Regulation of Print and Electronic Media

• Broadcast TV and radio face more regulation compared to print media.
• Key issues in regulation: defamation, shield laws (protecting journalistic sources), and social media freedom.
• Print media has a higher degree of independence.
• Broadcast media is subject to more government oversight.

Positive and Negative Effects of Changes in the Media in Texas

• The decline in print media has resulted in fewer resources for in-depth investigative journalism and news gathering.
• The growth of digital platforms has made news more accessible.
• This raises concerns about the accuracy and reliability of information.
• The rise of niche journalism has led to more extreme partisan viewpoints.
• This can polarize public opinion.

Key Terms & Concepts

• Digital Media are platforms that deliver news and information electronically, such as the internet, social media, and online publications.
• Investigative Journalism is deep-dive reporting aimed at uncovering government or corporate wrongdoing.
• Media Bias is the perception or reality that media outlets present information in a way that is skewed toward a particular ideology or perspective.
• Selective Perception is the idea that people interpret media coverage based on their pre-existing beliefs and attitudes.
• Agenda-Setting is the media's ability to highlight certain issues and set the agenda for political discussion.
• Soft News is less serious or sensationalistic news content, often focused on entertainment and scandals.