Unit 4 Overview - Political Ideologies and Beliefs

Flashcards on Political Ideologies and Beliefs.

Political Socialization

A lifelong process by which people form their ideas about politics and acquire political values.

Factors that contribute to Political Socialization

Family, Educational System, Peer Group, Mass Media

Political Efficacy

Faith or distrust of government institutions.

Opinion Poll

An assessment of public opinion obtained by questioning a representative sample of the population

Benchmark Poll

Initial poll on a candidate and issues on which campaign strategy is based and against which later polls are compared

Tracking Poll

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

Entrance Poll

Public opinion surveys taken before voters cast their ballots

Exit Poll

Polls conducted as voters leave selected polling places on Election Day asking how they voted

Sampling Techniques

Ways of determining a sample to take from a larger universe. Example: Random sampling, non-scientific internet or call in polls

Mass Survey

A way to measure public opinion by interviewing a large sample of the population

Focus Group

A small group of individuals who are led in discussion by a professional consultant in order to gather opinions on and responses to candidates and issues

Sampling Error

An error that occurs when a sample somehow does not represent the target population

Democrats (Liberal) Immigration Policy

Need to urgently fix our broken immigration system-which tears families apart and keeps workers in the shadows

Republicans (Conservative) Immigration Policy

Oppose any form of amnesty for those who, by breaking the law, have disadvantaged those who have opposed it

Democrats (Liberal) Death Penalty Policy

Oppose- it's not a deterrent and innocent people are in jeapordy

Republicans (Conservative) Death Penalty Policy

Favor- the death penalty is necessary and effective

Democrats (Liberal) Gay Marriage Policy

Like every other American- have the right to marry the person they love

Republicans (Conservative) Gay Marriage Policy

We do not accept the Supreme Court's redefinition of marriage and we urge its reversal

Democrats (Liberal) Legalization of Marijuana Policy

Support

Republicans (Conservative) Legalization of Marijuana Policy

Against

Democrats (Liberal) Military/Defense Spending Policy

Decreased spending

Republicans (Conservative) Military/Defense Spending Policy

Increased spending

Democrats (Liberal) Social Security Policy

We should reinstate the system's sustainability without privatizing or cutting back benefits

Republicans (Conservative) Social Security Policy

The responsibility for retirement finances rests with the individual

Democrats (Liberal) Affirmative Action Policy

We should drastically increase the current amount of programs

Republicans (Conservative) Affirmative Action Policy

We do not support minority groups and they should not receive any favorable treatment

Democrats (Liberal) Government Spending Policy

The government should not make cuts to public spending to reduce the national debt- they should cut military spending instead

Republicans (Conservative) Government Spending Policy

The government should make cuts to public spending to reduce the national debt and should increase taxes

Democrats (Liberal) Taxes Policy

We believe the wealthiest Americans and large corporations must pay their fair share of taxes

Republicans (Conservative) Taxes Policy

Consider the establishment of a pro-growth tax code a moral imperative…we oppose tax policies that deliberately divide Americans or promote class warfare

Democrats (Liberal) Abortion Policy

We believe that every woman should have access to quality reproductive health care services, including safe and legal abortions

Republicans (Conservative) Abortion Policy

We assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed

Democrats (Liberal) International Relations Policy

Believe that global institutions and multilateral organizations have a powerful role to play and are an important amplifier of American strength and influence

Republicans (Conservative) International Relations Policy

We are the party of peace through strength.

Keynesian Economics

Increased government expenditures and lower taxes to stimulate demand, also known as demand-side policy. When the economy is bad, people want to save their money which results in less economic activity therefore, the government should spend more money when people do not have work

Monetary Policy

Government policy that attempts to manage the economy by controlling the money supply and interest rates. Made up of actions of the Federal Reserve Bank-modifying the interest rates, buying or selling government bonds, changing the amount of money banks are required to keep (reserve requirements)

Fiscal Policy

Government policy to regulate the economy - change in taxes and change in government spending

Liberal Role of Government in the marketplace

More presence in the marketplace, increase taxes, supports wellfare, raise minimum wage, cut military spending

Conservative Role of Government in the marketplace

Less presence in the marketplace, stay the same or decrease taxes, against wellfare, against an increase for minimum wage, decrease spending

Libertarian Role of Government in the marketplace

Support free markets, the government should not force people to pay taxes, generally opposed to wellfare, does not support minimum wage, repeal income tax and abolish IRS

Liberal Role of Government in addressing social issues

Government should actively protect individual rights, women's choice for abortion, support gay rights, against death penalty, more regulation on gun control

Conservative Role of Government in addressing social issues

Government should intervene more to regulate social morals, against abortion, against gay rights, supports death penalty, supports the right to bear arms with gun control

Libertarian Role of Government in addressing social issues

Government should stay out of social issues, the government should stay out of abortion, sexual orientation should have no impact on the government's treatment of individuals with gay rights, against the death penalty, support the right to bear arms with gun control