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Political Culture

the dominant set of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that define the relationship between citizens and government.

Rule of Law

the principle that no one, including public officials, is above the law

Political Socialization

the experiences and factors that shape an individual's political values, attitudes, and behaviors.

Political Ideology

an individual's coherent set of beliefs about government and politics.

Generational Effect

the impact of historical events experienced by a generation upon their political views.

Focus Group

a small group of individuals assembled for a conversation about specific issues.

Representative Sample

a sample that reflects the demographics of the population.

Libertarianism

an ideology favoring very little government regulation and intervention beyond protecting private property and individual liberty.

Fiscal Policy

government use of taxes and spending to attempt to lower unemployment, support economic growth, and stabilize the economy.

Weighting

a procedure in which the survey is adjusted according to the demographics of the larger population.

Monetary Policy

a set of economic policy tools designed to regulate the amount of money in the economy

Sampling Error

the margin of error in a poll, which usually is calculated to plus or minus three percentage points.

Exit Poll

a survey conducted outside a polling place in which individuals are asked who or what they just voted for and why.

Liberalism

an ideology favoring less government control over social behavior and more greater regulation of businesses and of the economy.

Party Identification

an individual's attachment to a political party.

Tracking Poll

a survey determining the level of support for a candidate or an issue throughout a campaign.

Question Order

the sequencing of questions in public opinion polls.

Question Wording

the phrasing of a question in a public opinion poll.

Conservatism

an ideology favoring more control of social behavior more, fewer regulations on businesses, and less government interference in the economy.

Party Ideology

a party's philosophy about the proper role of government and its set of positions on major issues.