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Ideological Polarization

The effect on public opinion when many citizens move away from moderate positions and toward either end of the political spectrum.

Policy Mood

The level of public support for expanding the government's role in society; whether the public wants government action on a specific issue.

Public Opinion

Citizens’ views on politics and government actions.

Latent Opinion

Opinion formed on the spot when it is needed, distinct from a deeply held opinion that is stable over time.

Mass Survey

Way to measure public opinion by interviewing a large sample of the population.

Sample

Group of people within a population surveyed to gauge the whole population’s opinion.

Random Sample

Group chosen to be in a survey through a selection process with equal opportunity for everyone to be chosen.

Marginal Tax Rate

Tax rate paid on income up to some threshold; ranges of income get different tax rates.

Mandatory Spending

Expenditures required by law, such as social security.

Discretionary Spending

Expenditures that can be cut from the budget without changing the underlying law.

Regressive Taxes

Taxes that take a larger share of income from poor people than from wealthy people.

Progressive Taxes

Taxes that require upper-income people to pay a higher tax rate than lower-income people.

Budget Making

Process done by Congress to determine how government money will be spent and revenue will be raised.

Budget Reconciliation

Process of Congressional committees being held to spending targets specified by budget resolution.

Federal Reserve System

Independent Agency serving as the central bank of the US to bring stability to the nation’s banking system.

Treasury Department

Cabinet level agency responsible for managing the federal government’s revenue.

Federal Reserve Board

Group of 7 presidential appointees who govern the Federal Reserve System.

Social Policy

Area of public policy related to maintaining and enhancing the well-being of people.

Welfare

Financial assistance provided to individuals by the government, usually based on need.

New Deal

Set of policies proposed by FDR and enacted by Congress to promote economic recovery and social well-being during the Great Depression.

Great Society

Mid 1960s social agenda aimed to improve America's quality of life through governmental social programs.

Ownership Society

Term used to describe a social policy vision where citizens take responsibility for their own social welfare.

Policy Agenda

Set of desired policies that political leaders view as their top priorities.

Individualism

Each person has the ability to shape their life through choices they make.

Equality of Opportunity

Value placed on the absence of discrimination based on uncontrollable factors.

Free Enterprise

The concept of being free to produce, buy, and sell what we want.

Rule of Law

Principle that everyone is subject to the law; no one is above the law.

Limited Government

Philosophy that powers of the government are limited by the social contract and explicitly listed in the constitution.

Political Socialization

Process in which a person’s political opinions are shaped by others and the surrounding culture.

Political Ideology

A cohesive set of views on politics and the role of government.

Liberal Ideology

Focused on individualism, against traditional values, and in favor of government involvement.

Conservative Ideology

Focused on traditional ideas/systems, pro-business, and limited government.

Libertarian Ideology

Focus on individual liberty and smaller government.

Opinion Polls

Measures of public opinion on various topics.

Benchmark Polls

Used prior to a candidate declaring candidacy to set a baseline for opinions.

Tracking Polls

Polls that measure changes in opinion over a period of time.

Exit Polls

Polls conducted on Election Day to understand voting behavior.

Fiscal Policy

Government decisions regarding taxation and spending to influence the economy.

Monetary Policy

Government decisions on controlling the money supply and interest rates to influence the economy.

Keynesian Economics

Theory advocating for economic policy measures like taxing and spending to maintain stability.

Supply Side Economics

Theory that lower tax rates stimulate the economy by encouraging saving, investing, and production.

Interest Rates

The cost associated with borrowing money, typically expressed as a percentage.