AP US Gov Unit 4 Review KBAT

Demographics

Statistical characteristics of a population (age, race, gender, income, education, etc.).

Political culture

Shared beliefs, values, and norms about how government should operate.

Political socialization

The process by which people form political beliefs (family, school, media, etc.).

Core values

Fundamental beliefs about politics and government shared by most Americans.

Individualism

Belief that individuals are responsible for their own actions and well-being.

Equality of opportunity

The idea that all people should have the same chance to succeed.

Free enterprise

Economic system with private ownership, competition, and limited government interference.

Rule of law

Principle that no one, including leaders, is above the law.

Globalization

The increasing interconnectedness of the world’s economies, cultures, and politics.

Scientific polling

Using systematic methods to measure public opinion with accuracy.

Public opinion polls

Surveys that measure people’s attitudes and views on issues or candidates.

Opinion polls

General surveys of public opinion on policy or candidates.

Benchmark polls

Initial poll used to gauge support at the start of a campaign.

Tracking polls

Polls repeated over time to measure changes in support.

Entrance polls

Polls conducted as voters enter polling places.

Exit polls

Polls taken after voting to predict results and analyze voter choices.

Push polls

Biased polls that try to shape, not measure, public opinion.

Polling universe

The group of people a poll is meant to represent.

Random sample

A subset of people chosen randomly so each individual has equal chance of being selected.

Representative sample

A group that reflects the demographics of the population being studied.

Mass survey

Large-scale poll of many respondents on a broad range of issues.

Focus group

Small group discussions used to gather in-depth opinions.

Sampling error

Margin of error in poll results due to chance variation in sample.

Reliability of data

How consistent poll results are when repeated.

Veracity of data

How accurate and truthful the poll results are.

Political ideologies

Sets of beliefs about the role of government in society.

Political spectrum

A range of political views from left (liberal) to right (conservative).

Liberal ideology

Belief in more government involvement in the economy and social programs; progressive on social issues.

Conservative ideology

Belief in limited government in the economy; traditional values in social policy.

Moderate

Person whose views fall between liberal and conservative positions.

Political polarization

The growing ideological divide between liberals and conservatives.

Democratic Party

Major U.S. political party, generally associated with liberal policies.

Republican Party

Major U.S. political party, generally associated with conservative policies.

Regulation of the marketplace

Government intervention in the economy to protect consumers, workers, and environment.

Libertarian ideology

Belief in minimal government in both economic and social matters.

Property rights

The right to own, use, and transfer property.

Voluntary trade

Exchange of goods and services without coercion.

Social equality

Equal rights and treatment regardless of social group

Economic equality

Fairness in wealth distribution and economic opportunities

Suffrage

The right to vote

Political efficacy

Belief that one’s political participation matters

15th Amendment

Gave African-American men the right to vote in 1870

17th Amendment

Established direct election of US Senators (1913)

19th Amendment

Granted women the right to vote (1920)

23rd Amendment

Gave residents of Washington, D.C. the right to vote in presidential elections

24th Amendment

Banned poll taxes in federal elections (1964)

26th Amendment

Lowered voting age to 18 (1971)

Rational-choice voting

Voting based on what benefits the voter the most

Retrospective voting

Voting based on past performance of a candidate or party

Prospective voting

Voting based on promises or future plans of a candidate

Party-line voting

Voting consistently for one party’s candidates.

Voter turnout

Percentage of eligible voters who actually vote

Divided government

When different political parties control the presidency and Congress

Structural/institutional barriers

Rules or practices that restrict voting (e.g., voter ID laws, registration hurdles)

Grandfather clauses

Allowed people to vote only if their ancestors could, disenfranchising African-Americans.

Literacy tests

Tests used to suppress African-American voters

Poll tax

Fee required to vote, used to restrict poor and minority voters

White primary

Primary elections in which only white voters could vote

Midterm elections

Elections held halfway through a president’s term (Congressional races)

Open primary

Primary where any registered voter can vote regardless of party

Closed primary

Primary where only registered party members can vote

Blanket primary

Primary where voters can choose candidates from any party on the same ballot

Caucus

Party meeting where members select candidates and delegates

Delegate

Person chosen to represent voters at a party convention

Superdelegate

Party leader or elected official with automatic delegate status

Coattail effect

When a popular candidate helps other party members get elected

Advantages of the Incumbent

Benefits of being in office, like name recognition, funding, and experience

Gerrymandering

Redistricting as a means of favoring one party or group

Baker v Carr (1962)

Established “one person, one vote”; courts can review redistricting.

Shaw v Reno

Race cannot be the only factor in drawing districts.

Realignment

Shift in party loyalty among voters that changes the political landscape

Dealignment

When voters move away from both major parties and identify as Independents

“Spoiler” role

When a third-party candidate takes away votes from a major party, affecting outcome

Faithless elector

An elector who does not vote for the candidate they pledged to support

Proportional voting

Delegates or seats awarded in proportion to votes received

Single-Member District

Each district elects one representative

Winner-takes-all

System where the candidate with most votes wins everything

Plurality

Candidate wins with the most votes, even if less than 50%

Supermajority

A higher threshold than a simple majority (e.x. 2/3)

Convention

Meeting of party members to nominate candidates and set platforms

Balanced ticket

Choosing a running mate to appeal to different voters

Keynesian economic policies

Government spending and tax policies to manage demand and reduce unemployment

Supply-side economics

Tax cuts and deregulation to encourage business investment and growth

Monetary policy

Government regulation of the money supply and interest rates (controlled by Fed)

Fiscal policy

Government taxing and spending decisions to influence economy

Federal Reserve Board

Independent agency that manages U.S. monetary policy