The Dominating Traits of Texas Political culture is the habit of behaviors, values and beliefs as related to government and politics that have developed over time helping to build the political life of a state, region, or country. Texas political cultures have many dominant traits that continually redefine how the people of Texas think of themselves. Texas culture, dating back to the early nineteenth century, began when many people migrated west during the westward expansion forming our rugged individualistic traits which led Texas to develop an economic liberalism (free market) and strong social conservatism (traditional values). “Rugged” Individualism began when the migration of the westward expansion brought many people to Texas looking for a better life that the East could not provide for them. When the new settlers arrived, the frontier areas had no government to provide them with goods or services. Texans soon realized they were individuals in society and would need to find his or her interests and set goals for themselves. Texas’ government believes they should not intervene in a person’s private life or business. Economic liberalism is an ideological belief in organizing the economy by a private individual’s decision. Liberalism is an attempt to limit the power of the state for the sake of individual freedoms and favors the social progress by implementing law and reform rather than revolution. This belief feels equal right and liberty are of great importance. In the last three centuries, economic liberalism is the greatest economic orientation of thought and practice. It is based on four main principles: the economy is governed by law and objectives, is based on private property, presents freedom of actions, and free competition on the liberal market. Economic liberalism plays important roles in the state by the limiting of work hours, enforcing required sanitations, providing social services and creating conditions in which competition will be as effective as possible. Social conservatism is a political ideology that focuses on the preservation of what we see as traditional values such as family values. It also tends to support the use of government to reinforce the traditional social forms. These values were established to encompass religion and respect authority such as business, military, and religious leaders. Although we have the right to live the way we wish, the state and society has strong beliefs on how things are supposed to be. People’s values have progressed over time. The most recognizable evolutions would be gay adoption or marriage, prayer in school or public places, gun ownership and the legalization of Marijuana. Whatever your beliefs are, we are able to embrace them through freedom. Our freedom started when Individualism began to form our economic liberalism and social conservatism. As Texans, our beliefs in freedom, liberty and personal responsibility, have become a way of life which can be traced back to our political culture.