AP Gov Unit 10-11 flashcards

Conservative

Conservatives generally promote free markets and individual liberties (more freedom in econ) while advocating for traditional social values and a strong national defense.

Liberal

Want more regulation in economy but more freedom socially (ex: legalize marijuana)and support social justice issues and government action to address inequality.

Libertarian

Want no government regulation

Populists

Want regulation in economics and social problems. (conservative socially, liberal economically)

Culture War

R: religion (they either want more or less religion-conservatives for more)

A: Abortion (pro-choice vs pro-life)

I: Immigration (conservative = strong boarders) (Liberal = help people come)

D: Drugs (conservatives: lock people up, Liberal: drug laws dont help)

Democratic Theory

People are the power (ex: they can recall a leader)

Pluralist Theory

Interest Groups fighting for power (ex: NRA-national rifle association; makes sure gun regulations dont get passed because it helps them)

Elitist Theory

The wealthy and powerful manipulate everything and get what they want, basically fool the common people by “letting them vote”

Valence Issues

Issues seen the same way regardless of ideology

Wedge/Partisan/Position Issues

An issue that divides people of different ideologies or even divides people in the same ideology (ex-make members of same ideology disagree with each other)

Political Efficacy

Understanding and trust in the governmemt (has declined since 1960s and 70s)

Americanism

Pride in America

Americas Core Values

L: Liberty (freedom)

I: Individualism

C: Capitalism (free enterprise)

E: Equality (equality of opportunity, equality before the law(rule of law). Not of outcomes)

D: Democracy

Enlightened Self Interest

Peoples own interests are met best when also considering the group (Helping others helps yourself)

Equal Protection Clause

People treated equally under the law

Free Enterprise

Less government regulation, companies compete for wealth on their own

Rule of Law

Nobody is above the law (all people regardless of power or wealth are treated the same under the law)

Political Socialization

How one develops what they politically think (family is the biggest influence, plenty of other factors as well)

Globalization

expanding and more interactive world economy (more world trade and things moving across boarders, includes people, food, material, etc)

Generational Effect

An event your generation experienced that has influenced how your gen looks at politics (ex: 9/11 made millennials more focused on security)

Lifecycle Effect

Changes in person political views as they move through different stages of life. (Over time you become more conservative)

Entrance and Exit polling

Done on election day to predict outcome (Exit is more accurate)

Tracking poll

Track opinions to see how the change

Focus Groups

Small groups of about 10-40 people who discuss candidate issues

Approval Ratings

Rated yes or no based on presidential performance

Methodology

Survey questions phrased to not skew results

Push polling

Guiding to get a certain answer

Bandwagon effect

Shift of support to person in the lead (Person whos doing better in things like polls gain more fans)

Gender Gap

Issues with differences between men and women (ex: Women want more gun laws and more social welfare programs)

Public Policy

Set of laws, actions, etc that the government has made

Platform

List of principles/policies a political party plans to enforce

Majoritarian Policymaking

People and the government to carry out the will of the majority (public ideas will work eventually)

Interest group policymaking

interact with all 3 branches and push for their philosophy/what they want

Fiscal Policy

Government raises money (lib=keynesian, conservative=suuply side)

Keynesian

Government should increase spending and lower consumer taxes (low and middle class)

Supply Side

Less government regulations on business so prices can become cheaper and increase demand. Often called Job creators because if you raise taxes then businesses cant pay as many workers. (Liberals call it trickle down economics)

Monetary Policy

Government regulating the value of our money in our system (federal reserve) (When economy is slow, bank makes it easy to borrow money, when it is fast, it makes it harder by raising interest rates so it can regulate)

Federal Reserve

Americas central bank

Multiplier Effect

Increase in spending makes economy grow more than the amount of spending (government spends $10B, total output of goods and services may rise by $15B)

16th Ammendment

Government can tax peoples income

IRS

Oversees tax collection process

Progressive Tax

Tax rate goes up as income goes up

Flat Tax

Everyone taxed at the same rate

Inflation

Too many dollars in circulation

Favorable trade balance

Export more than Import

Social Security Act 1935

Employed pay a little to help unemployed (old, injured, etc)

Medicare

Helps with medical costs for people over 65 (republicans dont like it)

Medicaid

Health insurance coverage for the poorest americans

Affordable care act (Obamacare)

expand government involvement trying to make health care more affordable

Wagner Act

Let workers join unions and bargain

Fair Labor standards act

Added minimum wage, 40H work weeks, OT pay, child labor rules

Taft-Hartley

limited union power

OSHA

Protects workplace safety