AP GOV UNIT 4

Core values

include individualism, equal opportunity, free enterprise, and rule of law

Political socialization

The process by which individuals develop political beliefs, values, opinions, and behaviors.

United States political culture

Its democratic ideals, principles, and core values.

Globalization

Process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide.

Political ideology

A set of political ideas and beliefs on how society should function.

Generational effects

Experiences shared by people of a common age.

Scientific poll

A human research survey of public opinion using statistical information to randomly select representative respondents.

Benchmark poll

Creating baseline views of a candidate.

Exit poll

Collecting data on why people voted the way they did.

Public opinion

Collective opinion on a topic or issue relevant to society.

Democratic Party

A major political party that generally aligns more closely to liberal ideological positions.

Liberalism

Favor more governmental regulation of the marketplace.

Republican Party

A major political party that generally aligns more closely to conservative ideological positions.

Conservatism

Favor fewer regulations in the marketplace.

Libertarianism

Favor little or no regulation of the marketplace beyond the protection of property rights.

Fiscal policy

Consists of actions taken by Congress and the president to influence economic conditions.

Keynesian theory

A macroeconomic theory based on how aggregate demand influences economic output.

Supply-side theory

A macroeconomic theory focused on increasing aggregate supply.

Fourteenth Amendment

Granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S.

Fifteenth Amendment

Granted African American men the right to vote.

Seventeenth Amendment

Changed the practice for electing Senators to a direct vote by the people.

Nineteenth Amendment

Granted women the right to vote.

Twenty-Fourth Amendment

Eliminated poll taxes as a barrier to voting.

Political efficacy

The belief that an individual’s participation in the political process will make a difference.

Voter turnout

Differences in state-controlled elections affecting voting participation.

Linkage institutions

Channels that allow individuals to communicate their preferences to policymakers.

Electorate

The people eligible to vote in an election.

Safe seat

Electoral districts where the victory of a particular party is almost assured.

Interest group

May represent specific or general interests and can educate voters and office holders.

Amicus curiae brief

A written document submitted as a “friend of the court.”

Lobbying

Act of lawfully attempting to influence the actions, policies, or decisions of public policymakers.

Incumbency advantage

Benefits current officeholders possess over challengers.

Open primary

Voting process to elect candidates allowing any party affiliation.

Closed primary

Voting process to elect candidates where only registered party voters can vote.

General election

A regular election where all registered voters may vote for candidates.

Swing state

Any state that could reasonably be won by either the Democratic or Republican candidate.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002

An effort to ban soft money and reduce attack ads.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

A political committee organized for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect candidates.

SuperPACs

A type of political action committee that may raise unlimited amounts of money but cannot coordinate directly with candidates.

Media bias

Bias of journalists or producers in the selection and coverage of events and stories.

Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission (FEC)

Political spending by corporations is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment.

Individualism

each person has the ability to shape their life and destiny through the choices they make

Equal opportunity

all people are given an equal chance to compete

Free enterprise

the market determines prices, products, and services

Rule of law

every person, even those in power, must follow and is accountable to the same laws that govern all