AP Government Unit 4 Vocab (Chapter 4 and 7)

Demography

The scientific study of population characteristics.

free enterprise

Economic system in which individuals and businesses are allowed to compete for profit with a minimum of government interference

Rule of Law

principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern

American Exceptionalism

The idea that the American experience was different or unique from others, and therefore America had a unique or special role in the world, such as a "city upon a hill."

Sun Belt

U.S. region, mostly comprised of southeastern and southwestern states, which has grown most dramatically since World War II.

Bible Belt

The region of the American South, extending roughly from North Carolina west to Oklahoma and Texas, where Protestant Fundamentalism and belief in literal interpretation of the Bible are traditionally strongest.

Rust Belt

The northern industrial states of the United States, including Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, in which heavy industry was once the dominant economic activity. In the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, these states lost much of their economic base to economically attractive regions of the United States and to countries where labor was cheaper, leaving old machinery to rust in the moist northern climate.

race

A group of human beings distinguished by physical traits, blood types, genetic code patterns or genetically inherited characteristics.

Ethnicity

Identity with a group of people that share distinct physical and mental traits as a product of common heredity and cultural traditions.

suburban

An area surrounding a metropolitan center, with a comparatively low population density. Politically very diverse.

rural

relating to farm areas and life in the country; tends to be more conservative.

urban

in, relating to, or characteristic of a city or town. Tends to be more liberal.

gender gap

A term that refers to the regular pattern by which women are more likely to support Democratic candidates. Women tend to be significantly less conservative than men and are more likely to support spending on social services and to oppose higher levels of military spending.

fundamentalist

A person who believes in the strict interpretation of religious laws

Gross Domestic Product

The sum total of the value of all the goods and services produced in a nation

political socialization

the process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions; race, religion, family, friends, school, media, etc can all influence this.

selective exposure

The process by which individuals screen out messages that do not conform to their own biases.

deliberation

long and careful consideration or discussion

social capital

Democratic and civic habits of discussion, compromise, and respect for differences, which grow out of participation in voluntary organizations.

public opinion

the distribution of the population's beliefs about politics and policy issues

random sample

a sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion

margin of error

a measure of the accuracy of a public opinion poll

Entrance Poll

A poll that is taken before voters have cast their votes at the polling stations

exit poll

public opinion surveys used by major media pollsters to predict electoral winners with speed and precision by asking voters exiting polls who they voted for.

tracking polls

continuous surveys that enable a campaign or news organization to chart a candidate's daily rise or fall in support

political ideology

a more or less consistent set of beliefs about what policies government ought to pursue

Liberalism

A belief that government can and should achieve justice and equality of opportunity. Higher taxes on the wealthy, justice reform, investment into public education and transportation, and pro-social welfare.

Keynesian Economics

Theory based on the principles of John Maynard Keynes, stating that government spending should increase during business slumps and be curbed during booms.

Conservatism

A political or theological orientation advocating the preservation of the best in society and opposing radical changes. Low taxes (especially for wealthy), pro-life, pro-military spending, for small government and lack of government regulations

supply-side economics

An economic philosophy that holds the sharply cutting taxes will increase the incentive people have to work, save, and invest. Greater investments will lead to more jobs, a more productive economy, and more tax revenues for the government.

monetary policy

Government policy that attempts to manage the economy by controlling the money supply and thus interest rates. In USA Federal Reserve controls these tools.

fiscal policy

Government policy that attempts to manage the economy by controlling taxing and spending.

social conservative

one who believes that the government should support and further traditional moral teachings and that government should regulate drug use, marriage, abortion, and other moral/personal issues.

Socialism

A system in which society, usually in the form of the government, owns and controls the means of production. In many socialist countries they still hold free elections and maintain private property.

Communism

A theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state.

Libertarianism

An ideology that cherishes individual liberty and insists on minimal government, promoting a free market economy, a non-interventionist foreign policy, and an absence of regulation in moral, economic, and social life.

voter registration

A system adopted by the states that requires voters to register well in advance of Election Day. A few states permit Election day registration.

general election

An election held to choose which candidate will hold office

primary election

an election held to choose candidates for the respective parties.

presidential election

Elections held in years when the president is on the ballot.

midterm election

Elections held midway between presidential elections. Tends to have lower voter turnout.

turnout

The proportion of the voting age public that votes, sometimes defined as the number of registered voters that vote.

candidate appeal

How voters feel about a candidate's background, personality, leadership ability, and other personal qualities outside of their policy positions. Sometimes more important than actual policies of candidate.

Prospective issue voting

Voting based on what a candidate pledges to do in the future about an issue if elected.

retrospective issue voting

Holding incumbents, usually the president's party, responsible for their records on issues, such as the economy or foreign policy.