Kenneth P. Miller
Texas and California are the leaders of Red and Blue America. As the nation has polarized, its most populous and economically powerful states have taken charge of the opposing camps. These states now advance sharply contrasting political and policy agendas and view themselves as competitors for
control of the nation's future. Kenneth P. Miller provides a detailed account of the rivalry's emergence, present state, and possible future. First, he explores why, despite their many similarities, the two states have become so deeply divided. As he shows, they experienced critical differences in
their origins and in their later demographic, economic, cultural, and political development. Second, he describes how Texas and California have constructed opposing, comprehensive policy models - one conservative, the other progressive. Miller highlights the states' contrasting policies in five
areas - tax, labor, energy and environment, poverty, and social issues - and also shows how Texas and California have led the red and blue state blocs in seeking to influence federal policy in these areas.
The book concludes by assessing two models' strengths, vulnerabilities, and future
prospects. The rivalry between the two states will likely continue for the foreseeable future, because California will surely stay blue and Texas will likely remain red. The challenge for the two states, and for the nation as a whole, is to view the competition in a positive light and turn it to
productive ends. Exploring one of the primary rifts in American politics, Texas vs. California sheds light on virtually every aspect of the country's political system.
Dedication
Acknowledgments
PART I: PATHS TO POLARIZATION
1. Sibling Rivals
2. Origins
3. People
4. Economy
5. Culture
6. How Texas Turned Red
7. How California Turned Blue
PART II: COMPETING VISIONS
8. Rival Models
9. Taxes
10. Labor
11.
Energy and Environment
12. Poverty
13. Social Issues
PART III: POSSIBLE FUTURES
14. State of the Rivalry
References
Index
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Kenneth P. Miller is Associate Professor of Government at Claremont McKenna College and Associate Director of the Rose Institute of State and Local Government. He is author of Direct Democracy and the Courts and co-editor of Parchment Barriers: Political Polarization and the Limits of
Constitutional Order.
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