american national government ch 8

political culture

the shared beliefs, values, and attitudes that people in a society have about their government, politics, and the role of citizens. It shapes how people view authority, political participation, and what they expect from their leaders and institutions.

american creed

set of core values and beliefs that define the United States’ national identity, such as liberty, equality, democracy, individualism, and rule of law. It reflects the idea that all people are created equal and have the right to pursue freedom and opportunity.

political spectrum

range that shows different political beliefs and ideologies, from the far left (liberal or progressive) to the far right (conservative or traditional). It helps categorize where people or parties stand on issues like government involvement, social change, and economic policy

liberal

generally favors government involvement in economic activity and social life to assure equal opportunity and assistance to those in need.

conservative

A conservative generally favors small government, low taxes, deregulation, and the use of market incentives where possible.

libertarian

A libertarian generally favors minimal government involvement in the social and economic lives of individuals and believes that government should be limited mostly to defense and public safety.

populist

generally favors government involvement in the economy to assure growth and opportunity but opposes government protection of individual liberties that seem to threaten traditional values

political socialization

the process by which people develop their political beliefs, values, and attitudes. This happens through influences like family, school, friends, media, religion, and life experiences, shaping how individuals view government and politics over time.

public opinion

the collective attitudes and beliefs of the general public about political issues, leaders, institutions, and events. It reflects what most people think and can influence government decisions and election outcomes.

public sphere

the space, either physical or virtual, where citizens come together to discuss, debate, and share opinions about social and political issues. It’s an area where public opinion is formed and people can influence government and policy through open communication.

polling

the process of collecting information about people’s opinions, attitudes, or preferences on specific issues or candidates, usually by asking questions to a sample of the population. Polling helps measure public opinion and predict election outcomes.

“public opinion sets bounds on every government, and is the real sovereign in every free one” 

James Madison

benchmark polls

the first major poll taken during a political campaign to measure a candidate’s name recognition, public image, and support levels. It provides a baseline for comparing future polls and helps guide campaign strategy.

preference polls

surveys that ask people which candidate, party, or policy they favor. They are often used to gauge voter support before an election or to see which options are most popular among the public.

opinion surveys

questionnaires designed to measure people’s views, attitudes, or feelings about various topics, such as politics, social issues, or government performance. They help researchers and leaders understand public opinion and trends over time.

tracking polls

polls repeated regularly over a period of time to measure changes in public opinion or candidate support. They help campaigns and analysts track trends and shifts in voter attitudes throughout an election.

exit polls

surveys conducted with voters immediately after they leave the polling place. They ask who the person voted for and why, helping media and researchers analyze election results, voter demographics, and key issues that influenced the vote.

push polls

misleading or biased surveys designed to influence voters’ opinions rather than measure them. They often use loaded or negative questions about a candidate or issue to “push” respondents toward a particular viewpoint.