3.5: Conclusion

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Clearly, the structure of the 1876 Constitution resonates with a majority of the people of the state. It is fundamental law, which includes establishing the authority by which a government rules, outlining the basic structure of government, defining and limiting government powers, and protecting the civil rights of the people. The constitution determines what laws can be passed and what the governmental processes are. Consequentially, changes to the Texas Constitution must be approved by the people. After all, the Preamble states that the constitution is ordained and established by the people, and the will of the people is more fundamental than the will of the legislature.

Nevertheless, significant changes have been made to the document. Over 500 amendments have been made to the 1876 version. These amendments did not change much of the constitutional structure, or many of its basic principles, but they did change the powers within the document to reflect a momentous shift in the nature of the state from a lightly populated, poorly educated agrarian state to the commercial powerhouse it is today. Ideally, this chapter should make you more aware of the importance of constitutional language in determining the nature of governance in the state. Along with that, it is important to recognize the political forces that are able to successful push for change