AP US Government Unit 4 Vocabulary- Political Ideologies and Beliefs

Individualism

The principle of valuing individual rights over those of the government, with a strong emphasis on individual initiative and responsibility.

Equality of Opportunity

The belief that each person should have the same opportunities to advance in society.

Free enterprise

The belief in the right to compete freely in a market government by supply and demand with limited government involvement.

Rule of law

The principle that government is based on a body of law applied equally and fairly to every citizen, not on the whims of those in charge, and that no one is above the law, including the government.

Political Socialization

The process by which a person develops political values and beliefs.

Political culture

Commonly shared attitudes, behaviors, and core values about how government should operate

Globalization

The growth of an interconnected world economy and culture, fueled by lowered trade barriers between nations and advances in communications technology.

Political Ideology

The coherent set of values and beliefs about the purpose and scope of government held by groups and individuals.

Generational effects

experiences shared by a group of people who came of age together that affect their political attitudes

Lifecycle effects

changes over the course of an individual’s lifetime, which affect their political attitudes and participation

Demographics

statistics that describe populations and their characteristics

Opinion polls

A poll taken by sampling a small section of the public in an effort to predict election results or to estimate public attitudes on issues

Benchmark polls

Polls conducted by a campaign as a race for office begins. These polls provide the campaign with a basis for comparison for later polls, so that the candidate can see if their likelihood of winning the office is increasing or decreasing.

Tracking polls

A survey performed repeatedly with the same group of people to check and measure changes of opinion.

Exit polls

Performed on Election Day, these surveys are taken as voters exit their voting location.

Public opinion

How people feel about issues, candidates, and public officials

Reliability (veracity)

Quality of data that is honest and accurate

Republican party platform

Aligned with conservatism

Democratic Party platform

Aligned with liberal ideology

Liberal

They tend to believe that government should intervene in the economy and provide a broad range of social services to ensure well-being and equality across society. They usually believe that the government should not regulate private sexual or social behaviors.

Conservative

tend to believe that government should be small, operating mainly at the state or local level. They favor minimal government interference in the economy and prefer private sector-based solutions to problems

Libertarian

One who believes in limited government interference in personal and economic liberties

Fiscal policy

Government decisions about how to influence the economy by taxing and spending.

Keynesian economics

An economic philosophy that encourages government spending in order to promote economic growth.

Supply side economics

An economic philosophy that encourages tax cuts and deregulation in order to promote economic growth.

Monetary policy

Government decisions about how to influence the economy using control of the money supply and interest rates.

Federal Reserve

An independent federal agency that determines US monetary policy with the goal of stabilizing the banking system and promoting economic growth.