AP US Government Unit 4 Key Concepts and Political Ideology

Political ideology

Values on government's role

Political socialization

How people learn beliefs

Main agents of socialization

Family, school, peers, media

Political efficacy

Belief participation matters

Core value: no one above law

Rule of law

Equality of opportunity

Same chances

Limited government

Anchored by social contract & Constitution

Free enterprise

Market choices with some rules

Individualism

Emphasizes individual rights

Who asserts equal opportunity exists most?

Conservatives

Which favors least market regulation?

Libertarians

Liberal legal focus

Due process protections

Religion as socialization agent

Fits social institutions

Active socialization example

Civics instruction

Passive socialization example

Overhearing dinner

Selective exposure

Creates echo chambers

Political legitimacy

Gov has rightful authority

Which cohort trends most liberal?

Millennials/younger

Public opinion measured mainly by

Polls/surveys

Focus groups

Provide qualitative insight

Entrance/exit polls

Help predict outcomes, analyze voters

Scientific polls

Strive for representative random samples

Typical national poll MOE

±3%

Social desirability bias

Saying what seems acceptable

Party ID vs ideology

Different but related

Power of the purse

Belongs to Congress (esp. House)

Fiscal policy

Concerns taxes and spending

Monetary policy

Controls money supply & rates

Fed to cut unemployment likely

Lower rates, add money

To fight inflation, the Fed

Raises rates

Keynesian response to recession

Stimulus spending

Supply-side policy

Focuses on tax cuts for growth

Democrats usually back which taxes?

Higher on wealthy

Republicans usually back which taxes?

Broad cuts

Democrats often support which gun policy?

Gun control measures

GOP often on environment

Oppose many regs

New Deal under FDR

Did expand federal programs

LBJ's Great Society

Focused on Medicare, Medicaid, education

1996 welfare reform law

PRWORA

ACA

Stands for Affordable Care Act

DACA

Concerns childhood arrivals relief