AP Gov Unit 4 AMSCO Vocab

textbook definitions

Political Culture

the set of attitudes that shape political behavior. The cornerstones of _ are individualism, equal opportunity, free enterprise, the rule of law, and limited government. A consensual _ demonstrates that some values are shared among most of the population and that beliefs overlap. However, people might disagree on aspects related to those issues. _ can also be conflictual when groups with opposing beliefs clash over key issues.

Rule of Law

the principle of a government that establishes laws that apply equally to all members of society and prevents the rule and whims of leaders who see themselves as above the law. Was a cornerstone of Enlightenment political thought. The assures stability and certainty. Public records of government spending, regular auditing of the public purse, independent law enforcement, a free press, whistleblower protections, and public opinion all preserve the .

Political Socialization

The process by which you develop political beliefs, _, begins as soon as you are old enough to start forming opinions on public matters, and it never really ends.

Political Ideology

the set of ideas, beliefs, and values that individuals have about how government should work and the kinds of policies that government should implement. Each person has a set of personal political values that shape their _. These values are developed based on the environments in which they have grown up and lived.

Generational Effect

the experiences shared by a group of people who came of age together (generational cohorts, such as baby boomers or millennials) that affect their political attitudes; wars and economic recessions that hit one generation particularly hard have lasting effects on the political attitudes of that generation as its members progress through life.

Focus Group

A small group of citizens—10 to 40 people—who are gathered to hold conversations about issues or candidates form a focus group. Though less scientific than many types of polls, _ allow for deeper insight into a topic. Pollsters can ask follow-up questions and examine body language and intensity that would be missed in a simple automated questionnaire over the phone.

Representative Sample

a subset of a population that accurately reflects the characteristics of the larger group from which it is drawn. This means that the sample includes individuals or observations that capture the diversity and variability of the population, ensuring that results from the sample can be generalized back to the whole group. In experimental design, using a representative sample is crucial for obtaining valid and reliable results that can be applied to broader contexts.

Weighting

Manipulating the sample to compensate for this is known as __ or stratification— making sure demographic groups are properly represented in a sample.

Sampling Error

Every poll has a , the difference between poll results, also called margin of error. As the sample gets larger, the margin of error decreases. The way to determine this is to measure the results in two or more polls. A margin of error of plus-or-minus 4 percent or less is usually considered satisfactory.

Exit Poll

Entrance polls and __ are conducted outside polling places on election day to publicly predict the outcome of the election after the polls close. Polling services and the news media use these polls in national and statewide elections to help them offer predictions as well as to gain insight into the thoughts and behaviors of voters or to identify and analyze how different demographics actually voted.

Tracking Poll

ask people questions to measure how prospective voters feel about an issue and how they may vote on election day. used during the course of an election allow a campaign to "track" issues and how a candidate is faring with voters. This kind of information helps candidates make decisions for shaping the campaign, particularly in the final weeks and days of the election.

Question Order

the sequencing of questions in public opinion polls. ___ can shape the results of a poll because the next question asked can change the opinion of whether or not something aligns with a person's opinion.

Question Wording

the phrasing of a question in a public opinion poll. __ can shape the results of a poll because once you introduce something that a person is for or against in the question, it can shape their opinion on the subject.

Party Ideology

the set of beliefs and values that shape the goals, policies, and actions of a political party. It influences how parties position themselves on issues such as economic policy, social issues, and governance, ultimately guiding their interactions with voters and other political entities. Changes in ___ can reflect shifts in public opinion, cultural trends, and key events, leading to realignment within the political landscape.

Party Identification

an individual's psychological attachment to a political party, often shaping their voting behavior and political beliefs. It reflects a person's sense of loyalty and affiliation with a particular party, which can influence their perceptions of candidates, policies, and the political landscape. This alignment can lead to consistent voting patterns and plays a significant role in determining voter turnout.

Conservatism

Some citizens believe in having a strict threshold to qualify for welfare and longer prison sentences for convicted criminals. People at this end of the spectrum are usually known as . _ typically believe in law and order and would choose to lean toward order even at the expense of some liberties. __ believe in traditions and institutions. They favor a small government that provides fewer services over a large government that provides many. They tend to favor harsh punishments for lawbreakers. Often, change comes slowly for a . ___ may favor government support for people who are very poor.

Liberalism

Other groups of citizens may want government to provide welfare to people at a higher, though still impoverished, income level. These same people may desire leniency from the government on punishments for lawbreakers. People at this other end of the spectrum are usually known as . ___ are more likely to experiment with policy. They believe in law and order as well but are concerned about protecting the rights of the accused. They are also accepting of higher taxes in exchange for more government services.

Libertarianism

a political philosophy that emphasizes individual liberty, personal responsibility, and minimal government intervention in both personal and economic matters. It advocates for a free market economy, civil liberties, and non-interventionist foreign policies, suggesting that individuals should have the freedom to make their own choices without government interference. This ideology significantly influences policy-making processes by shaping debates on the role of government and individual rights.

Fiscal Policy

the government's use of spending and taxation to influence the economy. It plays a crucial role in managing economic growth, inflation, and unemployment by adjusting public expenditure and revenue collection. Through _, the government can either stimulate the economy during a recession or cool it down during periods of rapid growth, which connects closely with ideological perspectives on economic management, how presidents communicate their economic strategies, and how political parties advocate different fiscal approaches.

Monetary Policy

the process by which a central bank, such as the Federal Reserve in the United States, manages the money supply and interest rates to achieve specific economic goals. This policy aims to influence economic activity, control inflation, and stabilize the currency, playing a vital role in shaping a nation's economic environment and overall financial health.

Medicare

the health insurance program for seniors managed by the government.

Medicaid

a government program that provides health coverage to eligible low-income individuals and families in the United States. It is jointly funded by the federal and state governments, reflecting the collaborative nature of American healthcare policy and its reliance on both levels of government to implement social welfare programs.

Valence Issue (AMSCO)

a desired outcome that voters usually agree on.

Wedge Issue (AMSCO)

a divisive political issue, especially one regarded as a basis for drawing voters away from an opposing party whose supporters have diverging opinions on it.

Saliency (AMSCO)

the importance or prominence of an issue in the public mind, which affects how individuals prioritize their opinions and engage politically. Issues with high _ capture significant public, media, and policymaker attention, making them more likely to influence political agendas, voter turnout, and an individual's political actions, such as voting.