The Texas Model

It's No Miracle. It's Good Policy.

Photo by Carlos Alfonso on Unsplash

“If you want a future that looks like the old American Dream …
you increasingly come to Texas.”
—Brooke Rollins, in The Texas Model by Chuck DeVore

What Is the Texas Model?

The Texas Model refers to Texas’ strong economy, plentitude of jobs, low unemployment rate, qualified and abundant labor force, and affordable way of life. It is sometimes called the “Texas economic miracle” to emphasize the strength and benefits of the Texas economy.

The Texas model. It inspires entrepreneurs and innovators
and attracts job creators from across the entire country.
—Texas Governor Greg Abbott

This success is undeniable and remains strong, besides the headlines continually announcing its demise over the past 10 years. As I write, Texas’ $2.4 trillion economy is the 8th largest in the world, unemployment was at 3.9% in February 2024, and America’s CEOs have named Texas the best state where to do business for 20 years in a row.

It’s No Miracle Though

Both the Texas Model and the Texas Miracle are used to talk about Texas’ thriving economy and way of life. Without going into the history of both terms here and who used them most, and although the “Texas Model” is more often used these days, I want to emphasize that Texas’ prosperity is no miracle. Texas’ success results from the many virtues and traits of characters that Texans have developed over the centuries, as well as carefully crafted policies prioritizing liberty and personal responsibility.

The Texas Model opts for a limited rather than interventionist government, low taxes, relatively few regulations, respect for property rights, and fewer frivolous lawsuits. In his book dedicated to the Texas Model, Chuck DeVore summarizes it this way: “Liberty, rightly understood, is the core principle of the Texas model; the benefit of the model is prosperity.”

The Texas model emphasizes personal freedom and fiscal responsibility because it is the proven method to spark innovation, encourage economic prosperity,
and create a better quality of life.
—Texas Governor Greg Abbott

Texas’ success is not the result of chance; it is, instead, the result of an environment that best allows Texans to prosper.

The Texas Model Contributes to Achievement

This short post is meant to set the context of an environment conducive to achievement: more freedom, fewer barriers, and more opportunities to prosper. In future articles and specific stories of achievement, we will have the opportunity to discuss in more detail how some policies have helped hard-working Texans achieve success—or what Texas brings to the table.