GOV 310L Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Tea Party Movement, South Texas, Posse Comitatus
Chapter 4
Public Attitudes about Parties
- Political socialization is the introduction of individuals into the political culture; learning
the underlying beliefs and values in which the political system is based
- We often retain the same political beliefs as our parents
- We are also shaped by our environment
- Texas is shaped by pride, independence, and conservatism
o Seen in our state pledge of allegiance
- 56% of people in Texas say party affiliation affects who they vote for
- in Texas, the Republican party has complete control of state government
- republican primaries here put conservatives against moderates
- at the Conservative end, the Tea Party movement is strong in Texas
The Contemporary Republican Party in Texas
- there is currently a major division in the party; pro-business Republicans vs Tea Party
ones
- some shit about Patrick vs Dewhurst as if I fucking care
o Dewhurst was the more moderate one
- Republicans hold all the major statewide elected offices
o Governor
o Lieutenant governor
o Comptroller
o Attorney general
o Members of the state supreme court
o Railroad commissioners
- Before 1994, texas was all about them democrats
The Contemporary Democratic Party in Texas
- Minority
- They controlled the texas house until 2002
- Most Texas democrats are classified as liberal
- Party base = African americans, latinos, and white liberals in urban areas. Most white
liberals are in Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, and most aren’t from Texas but
moved here
- No Democrat has won Texas in a presidential race since Jimmy Carter in 1976
- Democrats DO have influence in certain localities; Austin, Houston, and San Antonio
have Democratic mayors and city councils
- Growth of minorities in texas will change the party makeup
Democratic and Republican Party Organization
- Texas doesn’t have a system of party registration
- Political parties select candidates to run for office under the party label. Today its done
thru primary elections
- In each election, a precinct chair will be elected in the party primary
- Precinct chair will then head the precinct convention and will also serve on the party’s
county executive committee
- In the primary, the county chair will also be elected
- Main responsibility of the county executive committee is to run the county primary and
plan the county conventions
- At the state level there is a state executive committee which includes a state chair and
vice chair
o These officers are elected every 2 years
- Temporary organizations of the party include the precinct conventions
- Main role of the precinct conventions is to select delegates to the county convention
and possibly to submit resolutions that may eventually become part of the party
platform
Third Parties in Texas
The Tea Party Movement in Texas
Ch 4 discussion
Personally speaking, I’d say the most important agents of political socialization in my life
have been my friends, family, and environment. My parents are not very political people,
however coming from a modest upbringing I’ve seen how hard this country can be on
immigrants and that has very much shaped how I view politics. Even so, my family is Muslim
which leans towards the more conservative side of the spectrum. This definitely clashes with
my more liberal views I gained growing up in Houston. The diversity of this city expanded the
influence around me helping me to experience all kinds of beliefs and attitudes and decide for
myself which I resonate with more.
Social media plays a huge role as an agent of political socialization. I believe it helps to
spread different beliefs, helping everyone to have access to other viewpoints instead of relying
on just the people and environment around you. The younger generation doesn’t just rely on
what the news channels have to say in order to gather information, they take into account
various peoples perspectives around the world, and plays a huge part in shaping them. As
technology continues to improve, social medias influence will increase.
Texas should have a system that doesn’t favor the two-party system. Just the fact that
third party candidates get some percentage of the votes show that there are people who
affiliate with that party and their concerns should be taken more seriously. I also want to note
that many people vote either democratic or republican because they feel that their vote won’t
count if they voted for a third party even if they associate with the latter more. The two-party
system just enforces that idea.
When it comes to improving visibility and power of minor parties, I think the Tea Party
have the right idea when it comes to strategy. They know as their own party they can’t make an
impact, so instead they place their influence within the Republican party. In that way, their
voices are much more likely to be heard.
Chapter 5
Participation in Texas Elections
- Earlier Restrictions on the Franchise
o Women obtained right to vote as a result of the 19th amendment
o A lot of people in texas were against women’s suffrage
▪ Said women could not vote because they could not perform the 3 basic
duties of citizenship
• Jury service
• Posse comitatus (citizens who are deputized to deal with an
emergency)
• Military service
▪ Believed women’s morals dictated their beliefs and women would force
their beliefs on men aka prohibition of alcohol
o Minorities had a harder time getting the right to vote
▪ Powerful political bosses had economic power and personal influence
over Latino voters
o Poll tax is a state imposed tax on voters as a prerequisite for voting; poll taxes
were rendered unconstitutional in national elections by the 24th amendment,
and in state elections by the supreme court in 1966
▪ South texas political bosses would purchase large numbers of poll tax
receipts and provide those receipts to their supporters, who often
depended on the bosses for jobs and other economic, legal, and political
assistance and who therefore would vote as the bosses wanted
▪ Poll tax was legal in texas even after made illegal in federal elections.
After it was eliminated texas continues to require early registration
▪ Early registration is the requirement that a voter register long before the
general election; in effect in Texas until 1971
• Prevented migrant workers from voting
▪ Texas also stopped anyone who wasn’t a property owner from voting and
a ridiculously long period of residency
o The white primary
▪ White primary is the primary election in which only white voters are
eligible to participate
- Expanding the franchise
o African Americans and Latino civil rights orgs helped to expand the franchise as
well as federal laws
o Most important law; Voting Rights Act of 1965
▪ Important legislation passed in order to ensure that African Americans
would be guaranteed the right to vote. Renewed several times since
1965, the act also prevents the dilution of minority voting strength
▪ One provision of the law was to send federal examiners to southern
states to register voters
▪ Also, involved a nationwide prohibition against the abridgement of voting
rights on the basis of race or ethnicity
▪ Bilingual ballots are required in certain areas
- Contracting the franchise?
o In 2011, the republican party passes a law requiring a photo identification in
order to vote. Made it harder for low-income persons, students, and elderly to
vote. All people who usually support democrats.
Document Summary
Political socialization is the introduction of individuals into the political culture; learning the underlying beliefs and values in which the political system is based. We often retain the same political beliefs as our parents. We are also shaped by our environment. Texas is shaped by pride, independence, and conservatism: seen in our state pledge of allegiance. 56% of people in texas say party affiliation affects who they vote for. At the conservative end, the tea party movement is strong in texas in texas, the republican party has complete control of state government republican primaries here put conservatives against moderates. The contemporary republican party in texas there is currently a major division in the party; pro-business republicans vs tea party ones some shit about patrick vs dewhurst as if i fucking care: dewhurst was the more moderate one. Republicans hold all the major statewide elected offices: governor, lieutenant governor, comptroller, attorney general, members of the state supreme court, railroad commissioners.
