1)Considering Texas’s unique blend of individualistic, traditionalistic, and emerging moralistic political subcultures, how might these influence its approach to the challenges of poverty, education, diversity, and resource management?
Reflect on one policy change you believe could make a significant impact in addressing these issues, taking into account the state’s social history and political climate.
Because we haven’t done this before, I wanted to give you an example with some possible answers. Don’t copy these, but use them to come up with your own unique answer. Here are a few possible responses:
Education: You might argue for increasing investment in education as a means to address poverty, diversity, and resource management. This could include initiatives to reduce disparities in school funding, increase teacher pay to mitigate shortages, and incorporate more comprehensive diversity and environmental education in the curriculum. They might suggest this policy change aligns with the emerging moralistic subculture that favors government intervention for societal improvement.
Healthcare: Another student might focus on healthcare, noting the high uninsured rate in Texas. They could propose expanding Medicaid or implementing state-level healthcare reforms to provide more Texans with access to healthcare services. This, in turn, could alleviate social problems associated with poverty and improve overall quality of life. Such an approach might challenge the individualistic subculture and align more with moralistic tendencies.
Diversity and Immigration: A student might suggest policy changes to better manage the state’s increasing diversity, such as comprehensive immigration reform or enhanced protections for minority populations. They might argue that better integration of immigrants and minority groups could enhance social cohesion and economic productivity. This would challenge the traditionalistic subculture and require a more moralistic and individualistic approach.
Sustainable Resource Management: Considering Texas’s history with oil and gas, a student might propose further diversification of the state’s energy production, with an emphasis on renewable energy sources. This could include incentives for renewable energy companies, stricter environmental regulations for traditional energy sectors, and public education campaigns about sustainability. Such policies could represent a shift towards a more moralistic subculture, prioritizing the long-term health of the state’s environment and population over immediate economic gain.
Question 2) Considering your knowledge of Texas local government, imagine you’re a city mayor or county commissioner. How would you improve civic engagement, ensure efficient service provision, and manage finances responsibly?
Reflect on the interactions of local, state, and federal systems. How would you utilize these relationships and address the challenges and opportunities related to special districts and metropolitan issues?
question 3)Reflecting on the evolution, composition, and influence of political parties in Texas, how do you envision the future of Texas politics?
As Texas continues to become more diverse in its population, what changes might you anticipate in political ideologies, party affiliations, and electoral trends?
Consider how you, as active or future voters, might influence these changes and shape the future political landscape of Texas.
