A.P. U.S Government & Politics Unit 4

Conservative (The Right)

Focuses on individual responsibility, limited government intervention, and the preservation of traditional values

Liberal (The Left)

Believes in government action to achieve equal opportunity and social justice.

Political Socialization

Process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions.

Political Efficiency

Belief that your vote matters and influence on politics/government matters.

Psychological Factors

Party identification, individual candidates, political/policy issues.

Sociological Factors

Family, economic status, occupation, major events, religion, age.

Political Culture

A set of attitudes, beliefs, and sentiments which give order and meaning to a political process.

Moderate

Holds beliefs that fall between liberal and conservative views, usually including some of both.

Radical

Favors extreme change to create an altered or entirely new social system.

Reactionary

Favors extreme change to restore society to an earlier, more conservative state.

Liberty

The principle that individuals should be free to think, speak, and act as they choose, provided they do not infringe on the rights and freedom of others. It emphasizes freedom from government interference in personal lives.

Individualism

A belief in the fundamental worth and importance of the individual. The value that encourages people to pursue their own best interest.

Equality of Opportunity

A fundamental term that ensures all individuals, regardless of their background, have equal access to resources, opportunities, and advancement. 

Rule of Law

The principle that every member of society, including government officials and the president, must follow the law. It ensures that laws are applied fairly and equally to everyone, meaning no one is "above the law".

Patriotism

A sense of pride, loyalty, and devotion to one's country and its democratic values. In some frameworks, this is also referred to as "nationalism" or a shared love of country that unifies a diverse population.

Free Enterprise

An economic system in which prices, products, and services are determined by market forces rather than government intervention.

Democracy

A system of government where political authority is derived from the people. It is characterized by majority rule, the protection of minority rights, and the use of elected representatives to carry out the will of the people.

Limited Government

One kept under control by law and checks and balances and the separation of powers.

Libertarian

A philosophy that takes individual liberty as its primary political value.

Progressive

A reform-minded philosophy that believes the government should actively work to improve society and solve social and economic problems.

Populist

Does not have a fixed set of policies but instead focuses on a moral struggle between "the pure people" and "the corrupt elite"

Globalization

The process of an ever-expanding and increasingly interactive world economy.