AP gov unit 4

Public Opinion

The distribution of the population's beliefs about politics and policy issues

Random Sample

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion

Sampling Error

The difference between a sample result and the true result if the entire population had been interviewed.

Exit Polls

polls taken after you have voted

Political Socialization

Complex process by which people get their sense of political identity, beliefs, and values (family, school, media, religion, national events-all help to socialize)

Gender Gap

Difference in political views between men and women

Political Ideology

A set of beliefs about political values and the role of government.

Liberal

A person whose views favor more govt involvemnt in business, social welfare, minority rights, &increased govt spending

Conservative

A person who believes government power, particularly in the economy, should be limited in order to maximize individual freedom.

Demography

study of population and characteristics

random digit dialing

a technique used by pollsters to place telephone calls randomly when conducting a survey

Political culture

Collective political beliefs that society has

political participation

getting involved in the political process in typical ways such as voting, campaigning, writing a letter to representative, etc.

unconventional political participation

getting involved in the political process in more extreme ways such as protesting, civil disobedience, etc.

protest

political participation to achieve policy change through dramatic/unconventional tactics

civil disobedience

refusal to obey a law because it is believed to be unjust; non-violent and willing to accept consequences

broad constructionism

The idea that the Constitution can be interpreted broadly, or loosely.

strict constructionism

The belief that the constitution should be interpreted literally and not adapted to changing circumstances

original intent

A view that the Constitution should be interpreted according to the original intent of the framers. Many conservatives support this view.

Scope of government

The areas of society and public policy that gov. is responsible for and has the power to regulate

sample

a subset of units in a population, selected to represent all units in a population of interest

Census

A complete enumeration of a population. every ten years

Majority minority

minority groups that make up a majority of the population of the state

melting pot

the idea that immigrants will assimilate into the dominate culture of a society

Bandwagon Effect

A shift in electoral support to the candidate whom public opinion polls report as the front-runner.

reapportionment

the process of dividing seats for the House among the 50 states following the decennial census

How is political socialization learned?

family school friends media and church (agents)

Ideologue Voter

votes on candidate or party with same beliefs

group benefit voters

Vote for party that helps you the most

Nature of Time Voters

how are the things going for the person in power are they good or are they bad

No Issue Content Voters

no logical reason for voting

Traditional ways to participate in politics

Vote

Run for office

Contact Policy maker

Donate

Conservative Traits

Free Market

Power to state and local gov.

Spending on millitary defense

Don't support Abortion

Liberal Traits

Spending on social programs

power to federal gov

support abortion

Stronger labor unions