Texas vs. California : A History of Their Struggle for the Future of America

Texas and California have become leaders of Red and Blue America. The book explores why these two powerful states have joined the rival camps. It then describes how they have used competing red and blue policy models to create sharply contrasting policies across a broad range of issue areas. Texas and California have also mobilized coalitions of red and blue states to influence federal policy. The book concludes by assessing the two models'' strengths, vulnerabilities, and future prospects. The rivalry between these states and their allies will likely continue for the foreseeable future; the challenge for the nation is turn the competition to productive ends.

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.