Depiction of Federalism in Texas
Federalism is a system of government that creates two relatively autonomous levels of government, each possessing authority granted to them by the national constitution (OERTX, n.d.). The U.S. Constitution allocates powers to the states and federal government, structures the relationship between these two levels of government, and guides state-to-state relationships (OERTX, n.d.). Federalism has evolved over time, reflecting different balances between state and federal authority in different historical phases (OERTX, n.d.).
Texas is one of the 50 states that operates within the federal system. The Texas Constitution outlines the structure of Texas’s state government and establishes the basic rules for state government (HCC Learning Web, n.d.). However, the Texas Constitution is subject to the U.S. Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land (HCC Learning Web, n.d.). Therefore, Texas cannot have items in its constitution that contradict the U.S. Constitution, and it must comply with federal laws and regulations that apply to all the states (HCC Learning Web, n.d.).
The relationship between Texas and the federal government has been characterized by both cooperation and conflict. On one hand, Texas relies on federal funding for many public programs and services, such as education, health care, transportation, and homeland security (Texas Politics, n.d.). On the other hand, Texas has often challenged federal policies and decisions that it perceives as infringing on its sovereignty and autonomy, such as environmental regulation, immigration enforcement, health care reform, and voting rights (Cram, n.d.).
The political culture of Texas also influences its approach to federalism. Texas has a history of individualism and traditionalism, which values personal freedom, limited government, low taxes, and social conservatism (Social Sci LibreTexts, 2021). These values tend to make Texans skeptical of federal intervention and supportive of state rights and local control (Social Sci LibreTexts, 2021).
In conclusion, federalism is a complex and dynamic system that shapes the governance of Texas and its interaction with the federal government. Federalism allows for both diversity and unity among the states, but it also generates tensions and conflicts over the distribution of power and resources.
References
Cram. (n.d.). Pros And Cons Of Federalism In Texas – 1022 Words | Cram. Retrieved from https://www.cram.com/essay/Pros-And-Cons-Of-Federalism-In-Texas/FK756U5KUY3Q
HCC Learning Web. (n.d.). Federalism and the Texas Constitution – HCC Learning Web. Retrieved from https://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/julie.janzer/govt2306/chapter-outlines/chapter-2
OERTX. (n.d.). The Evolution of Federalism – OERTX. Retrieved from https://oertx.highered.texas.gov/courseware/lesson/1066/overview
Social Sci LibreTexts. (2021). 1.2: Political Culture of Texas – Social Sci LibreTexts. Retrieved from https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Political_Science_and_Civics/Texas_Government_%28Teas_Jefferies_Shomaker_Watson_and_Gilmour%29/01%3A_Political_Culture_and_the_People_of_Texas/1.02%3A_Political_Culture_of_Texas
Texas Politics. (n.d.). Texas Politics – Federalism and the U.S. Constitution. Retrieved from http://texaspolitics.utexas.edu/archive/html/cons/features/index_01/slide1.html
