AP U.S. Government: Political Culture, Polling, Ideologies, and Economic Policy

Demographics

Statistical information about a population, such as age, race, income, and education.

Political culture

shared values about society and government held by most Americans regardless of ideology

Political socialization

The process of learning political beliefs and values

Core values

Basic beliefs that shape how Americans view government and society.

Individualism

The belief that people should be responsible for themselves and have personal freedom.

Equality of opportunity

The idea that everyone should have an equal chance to succeed.

Free enterprise

An economic system where people and businesses can compete with limited government control.

Rule of law

The principle that everyone, including government officials, must follow the law.

Globalization

The growing connection between countries through trade, technology, culture, and communication.

Scientific polling

Using research methods and random samples to measure public opinion accurately.

Public opinion polls

Surveys used to measure what people think about political issues or candidates.

Opinion polls

Questions asked of a sample of people to learn their opinions on an issue.

Benchmark polls

Early polls used to measure a candidate's starting level of support.

Tracking polls

Repeated polls that measure changes in public opinion over time.

Entrance polls

Surveys of voters as they enter a polling place to vote.

Exit polls

Surveys of voters as they leave a polling place after voting.

Push polls

Polls designed to influence voters by presenting biased or misleading information.

Random sample

A sample in which each person in the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Representative sample

A sample that reflects the important characteristics of the population being studied.

Mass survey

A survey that asks many people the same questions to measure public opinion.

Focus group

A small group of people asked questions to understand their opinions and reactions in depth.

Sampling error

The difference between a survey's results and the actual views of the whole population because only a sample was surveyed.

Reliability of data

How consistent and dependable information or research results are.

Political ideologies

Sets of beliefs about government's role, the economy, and society.

Political spectrum

A way of organizing political beliefs from left to right based on ideology.

Liberal ideology

Generally supports government action to reduce inequality, regulate business, and protect civil rights.

Conservative ideology

Generally supports traditional values, free markets, lower taxes, and a more limited government role in the economy.

Moderate

A person whose political views are between liberal and conservative or combine ideas from both.

Political polarization

The growing division between political groups with opposing beliefs.

Democratic Party

A major U.S. political party that generally supports a larger government role in social programs, economic regulation, and reducing inequality.

Republican Party

A major U.S. political party that generally supports lower taxes, fewer business regulations, and conservative social policies.

Regulation of marketplace

Government rules that oversee businesses and protect consumers, workers, or competition.

Libertarian ideology

The belief that government should have a very limited role in both the economy and people's personal lives.

Keynesian economic policies

Policies that use government spending and taxes to influence demand and help stabilize the economy, especially during recessions.

Supply-side economic policies

Policies that aim to encourage production and economic growth through measures such as lower taxes and fewer regulations.

Monetary policy

Actions by the Federal Reserve to influence interest rates and the money supply.

Fiscal policy

Government decisions about taxation and spending to influence the economy.

Federal Reserve Board

The governing body of the Federal Reserve System, which helps guide U.S. monetary policy.

Social equality

The idea that people should have equal rights, status, and opportunities in society.

Economic equality

The idea that people should have a more equal distribution of income or wealth.

Single-issue voter

A voter who bases their vote mainly on one specific political issue.

Right to privacy

The idea that people should be protected from unjustified government intrusion into certain personal decisions and private matters.

Pro-life movement

A movement that generally opposes abortion and seeks legal protection for unborn life.

Pro-choice movement

A movement that supports the right to choose whether to have an abortion.