ap gov unit 4 review (heimler review guide)

Individualism

Belief that places value on a person's independence and self-reliance

Equality of Opportunity

Belief that every American should have equal rights

Free Enterprise

Belief that government should allow forces of supply and demand to govern the marketplace

Rule of Law

Belief that every citizen is equal under the law

Limited Government

Belief that government needs well-defined limits and restraints

While Americans share these core beliefs, how are these values interpreted and applied differently?

The core American beliefs are expressed differently depending on each citizen's political leanings, which allows citizen's to interpret and apply these values differently from each other.

liberal

• Push for new reforms

• Make society more equitable

• Larger government

• More citizen services

Conservative

• Keep established institutions

• Preserve traditions

• Smaller government

• Less citizen services

Conservative Individualism

Self-centered individualism - emphasis on individual over society

Conservative Equality of Opportunity

Individual effort will lead a person to success.

Conservative Free Enterprise

Believe government should leave businesses alone and not burden them with regulations.

Conservative Rule of Law

Laws are equal and should be followed to the letter.

Conservative Limited Government

Want strong boundaries for federalism and promote less government interference in people's lives.

Liberal Individualism

Enlightened individualism - emphasis on society over the individual.

Liberal Equality of Opportunity

Individuals do not have equal footing and government should support advancement of disadvantaged groups.

Liberal Free Enterprise

Believe the government is needed in order to ensure safety and equality.

Liberal Rule of Law

Laws are applied unequally, especially in regards to minority groups.

Liberal Limited Government

Embrace the need for government intervention in society for the sake of the greater good.

What is political socialization?

Political socialization is the process by which American citizens come to believe in conservative or liberal ideologies.

How does family affect political socialization?

The most significant socialization factor where parents share political beliefs with children

How does School affect political socialization?

A socialization factor where the way in which ideas are taught can influence political ideology

How does Peers affect political socialization?

A socialization factor where a need for conformity to a group can influence political ideology.

How does Media affect political socialization?

A socialization factor where news and entertainment can influence political ideology

How does Social Environments affect political socialization?

A socialization factor where religious and civic groups can influence political ideology

How does Globalization affect political socialization?

A socialization factor where increased interconnectedness to the world influence political ideology

What are the four main generations that play a role in political socialization?

The four main generations include: The Silent Generation, The Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials

What are the distinguishing characteristics of the Silent Generation?

The Silent Generation is defined by: 1928 - 1945, Grew up in the midst of Great Depression and WWII, High value on religion, Find cultural upheaval destabilizing, Generally conservative

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(Extra Info/Evidence: REMEMBER: Generally these voters consistently vote in higher than average numbers, therefore, making them an extremely valuable voting block.)

What are the distinguishing characteristics of the Millennials?

The Millennial Generation is defined by: 1981 - 1996, More ethnically diverse and more highly educated, Value cooperation and diplomacy, Not opposed to government regulation of the environment, Generally more liberal

What is the life cycle effect?

The life cycle affects is the cycle where a person is in their life cycle will affect how they think about politics and policy, so that a person's political beliefs will change depending on what's mot important to them in a given stage of life.

How have major events had an effect on political socialization of the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers?

Major events have had distinct effects on the political socialization of the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers. The experience of the Great Depression and the expansion of the federal government during that time fostered trust in the government among the Silent Generation, believing in its ability to address societal challenges. In contrast, the Vietnam War, government corruption, and mass protests led many Baby Boomers to lose faith in the government and resulted in a significant shift from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party within their generation.

How have major events had an effect on the political ideology of the Millennial Generation?

Major events, such as the terrorist attacks of 9/11, have had a significant impact on the political socialization of Millennials. The aftermath of 9/11, including the passage of the PATRIOT Act with increased governmental surveillance, created differing perspectives among Millennials. While some aligned with more Republican values and supported such measures, others saw 9/11 as a consequence of American over-involvement in the Middle East, leading them to lean towards a more Democratic view and seeking to decrease military presence in the region.

What is political ideology?

Political ideology is an interlocking set of ideas the form the basis for political decision making and tend to fall along the spectrum of conservative and liberal.

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(Extra Info: REMEMBER: The College Board sees political ideology as a different term/idea than political party. You are not able to use these concepts interchangeably.)

How does the Democratic Party align with political ideology?

The two major American political parties align with different political ideologies. The Democratic Party aligns with liberal ideology, advocating for policies such as protecting a woman's right to abortion, equal rights for women and the LGBTQ+ community, and healthcare for the poor. Democrats position themselves as champions of minorities and inclusivity, Geographically, Democrats are more concentrated in the Northeast and West Coast.

How does the Republican Party align with political ideology?

The two major American political parties align with different political ideologies. The Republican Party aligns with conservative ideology, supporting policies like cutting taxes, an America-first trade policy, and antiregulation for businesses. Republicans position themselves as champions of national security and law and order. Republicans are more concentrated in the South and Midwest.

Explain how widely held political ideologies shape policy debates and choices in American policies as demonstrated with the DREAM Act.

Widely held political ideologies shape policy debates and choices in American policies like the DREAM Act as representatives strive to strike a balance between individual liberty and the promotion of social order, with ideology serving as a determining factor. In the case of the DREAM Act, reflecting liberal ideology, the bill faced opposition from Republicans who sought stricter immigration limits in exchange for cooperation, leading to its failure to pass. Subsequently, presidents like Barack Obama, aligning with liberal ideology, implemented executive orders to protect undocumented minors, while Donald Trump, emphasizing tough immigration policies, rescinded those orders, highlighting the influence of ideology on policy decisions.

Fiscal Policy (Keynesian)

(Taxation and Spending)

Economics

• Strong government involvement in the economy

• Strong support of government borrowing

• Usually supported by a liberal ideology

Fiscal Policy (Supply-side)

(Taxation and Spending)

Economics

• Weak government involvement in the economy

• Focuses on supply and demand

• Usually supported by a conservative ideology

Monetary Policy (Federal Reserve Board)

(How much money is in circulation)

• Buying and selling bonds

• Setting bank reserve requirements

• Setting interest rates

What is Libertarianism?

Libertarianism highlights the need for the smallest, least intrusive government possible, especially economically as many libertarians favor almost NO government involvement in the economy

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(Extra Info: These ideas of government involvement on social policy as well as many libertarians endorse the legalization of marijuana and ending capital punishment.)

Explain how Democrats can be inconsistent in how their political ideology impacts social policy.

Democrats can display inconsistency in how their political ideology impacts social policy because while they generally support government intervention in addressing income distribution and poverty, they often advocate for limited government involvement in personal matters such as abortion. This contradiction reflects their stance of wanting the government to stay out of private issues while advocating for its active role in areas they consider necessary for societal well-being

Explain how Republicans can be inconsistent in how their political ideology impacts social policy

Republicans can exhibit inconsistency in how their political ideology impacts social policy because while they generally advocate for small government and individual freedoms, they tend to support heavy government involvement in maintaining law and order, such as endorsing strict policing measures in cities. Additionally, Republicans often prioritize robust military spending, which contradicts the principle of limited government intervention. These inconsistencies arise from the balancing act between preserving individual liberties and addressing perceived threats to societal stability.

Opinion Poll

A poll used to get a feel for the public's feelings on certain candidates or policies

Benchmark Poll

A poll taken at the beginning of a candidate's run and used to measure them against in future polls

Tracking Poll

A poll conducted over time, usually the same people, to see how feelings change over time on a given issue

Entrance Poll

A poll conducted with people before they enter their polling place asking how they will vote

Exit Poll

A poll conducted after a voter leaves their polling location asking how they voted

What is a representative sample?

A representative sample is a small portion of the larger population pollsters are seeking to measure, but has the same characteristics of the larger population.

What is a random sample?

A random sample means that every member of the population must have an equal chance of being selected to participate.

What is a sampling error?

A sampling error is the acknowledgment of a small margin of error, which means that the results predicted by the poll were very close to the actual outcome.

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(Extra Info: Every good scientific based poll should have a sampling error included. A margin or error of +/- 4% or below is considered a good, scientific poll.)

Explain why survey methodology affects polling data.

Survey methodology affects polling data by influencing the accuracy of the results through the careful formulation of unbiased and objective questions, as well as the selection of appropriate data collection techniques and sampling methods to minimize bias and ensure representative data.

Why does a mass survey work best to cultivate quantitative data?

A mass survey is effective in cultivating quantitative data because it involves a large sample size, which enhances statistical accuracy and reliability. The larger the sample, the better representation it provides of the target population, allowing for more precise measurements of "how much" data, enabling meaningful analysis and generalization of the findings

Why do focus groups work best to cultivate qualitative data?

Focus groups are effective in cultivating qualitative data because they provide an opportunity to delve deeper into participants' beliefs and perspectives on an issue. With a smaller group size, focus groups facilitate in-depth discussions, allowing researchers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the participants' thoughts, experiences, and the nuances of their viewpoints, thus generating rich qualitative insights that go beyond mere numerical measurements.

How are scientific polling and elections and policy debates related?

Scientific polling plays a crucial role in elections and policy debates. The data gathered through polling informs candidates and representatives on how to shape their campaigns and policies, while voters use this information to make decisions on whom to vote for. Polling numbers also influence the selection of participants in televised debates, with higher-ranked candidates receiving more prominent positions based on their poll numbers. Ultimately, scientific polling helps shape the electoral process and policy discussions by providing insights into public opinion.

What is the bandwagon effect?

The bandwagon effect is the impulse for people to get behind the winning candidate in the polls and therefore impact their level of voter support and funding.

What is the social desirability bias?

The social desirability bias is a phenomenon where individuals tend to provide responses that are socially acceptable or desirable, rather than reflecting their true beliefs or behaviors. In the context of public opinion polls, this bias can lead participants to provide answers that align with societal expectations or norms, such as indicating their intention to vote, even if they may not follow through on it

What is the non-response bias?

The non-response bias occurs when certain groups are more likely to decline or not participate in a poll, leading to a distorted representation of the population. In a given context, the non-response bias may affect the accuracy of polling results.

Why should voters be suspicious of non-scientific polls?

Voters should be suspicious of non-scientific polls because they can be influenced by partisan agendas and lack the rigorous methodology needed for accurate data collection. These polls may be funded by political parties or biased news outlets with the intention of promoting certain policies or candidates, leading to unreliable results that can cast doubt on the credibility of all polls in the eyes of the public.