AP Gov Unit 4 5

Rule of Law

Everyone, including leaders, must follow the law.

Limited Government

Government powers are restricted by law.

Political Socialization

How people form political beliefs (family, media, school).

Political Participation

Ways people get involved in politics (voting, protests).

Political Culture

Shared beliefs about how government should work.

Public Opinion

What people think about issues and leaders.

Opinion Polls

Measures public views on issues or candidates.

Tracking Polls

Measures how public opinion changes over time.

Exit Polls

Taken after voting to predict election results.

Sampling Techniques

Methods used to select poll participants (random is best).

Focus Group

Small group used to discuss opinions in depth.

Sampling Error

The margin of error in polling results.

Scientific Polling

Uses data and proper methods to ensure accuracy.

Party Platforms

A political party’s official stance on major issues.

Keynesian Economics

Government should spend more during economic downturns.

Supply-side Economics

Cut taxes to grow the economy.

Monetary Policy

Federal Reserve controls the money supply.

Fiscal Policy

Government decisions on taxing and spending.

Federal Reserve

Central bank that manages monetary policy.

Political Party

Organization that seeks to win elections and influence policy.

Republican (GOP)

Conservative party favoring limited government and low taxes.

Democrat

Liberal party favoring more government involvement in social programs.

Linkage Institution

Connects people to the government (e.g. media, parties).

Candidate Centered Campaigns

Focuses on the individual candidate over the party.

Proportional Representation System

Seats are awarded based on percentage of votes.

Party Conventions

Meetings to nominate candidates and set party platforms.

Critical Elections

Major shift in party support and voter alignment.

Regional Realignments

Party shifts that happen in certain regions.

Third Party Candidate

Candidate not affiliated with major parties.

Independent Candidate

Candidate with no party backing.

Demographic Coalition

Voting groups with shared characteristics (age, race, etc.).

Party Coalition

Groups that support a political party long-term.

15th Amendment

Gave African American men the right to vote.

17th Amendment

Allowed direct election of U.S. Senators.

19th Amendment

Gave women the right to vote.

24th Amendment

Banned poll taxes.

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age to 18.

Motor Voter Law

Allows registration to vote when getting a driver's license.

Primary Election

Voters choose party nominees.

Open Primary

Any registered voter can vote in either party's primary.

Closed Primary

Only party members can vote in their own party's primary.

Caucus

Meeting where party members choose candidates.

General Election

Final vote for office (includes presidential and midterms).

Electoral College

Group that officially elects the president.

National Popular Vote

Total number of votes across the country.

Incumbency Advantage

Current officeholders are more likely to be re-elected.

Voter Turnout

Percentage of eligible voters who vote.

Voter Behavior

How and why people vote the way they do.

Suffrage

The right to vote.

Poll Tax

A fee required to vote (now banned).

Literacy Test

Used to suppress minority voting in the past.

Political Efficacy

Belief that your vote matters and can make a difference.

Rational Choice Voting

Voting based on personal best interest.

Retrospective Voting

Voting based on a candidate’s past performance.

Prospective Voting

Voting based on promises or future plans.

Party-line Voting

Voting only for candidates from one political party.

Campaign Consultants

Professionals who help manage campaigns.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act 2002

Regulated campaign finance, limited soft money.

Citizens United v FEC

Allowed unlimited independent political spending by corporations.

Mass Media

Means of communication that reach large audiences (TV, internet, etc.).

Ideologically Oriented Programming

News or media biased toward a certain political view.

Horse Race Journalism

Media focuses on who’s winning, not issues.

Fake News

False or misleading information spread as news.

Campaign Finance Law

Rules governing money in political campaigns.

Soft Money

Unregulated money donated to parties, not candidates.

Attack Ads

Negative ads about political opponents.

Stand by Your Ad Provision

Candidates must state approval of their ads.

Independent Expenditures

Spending by outside groups not coordinated with candidates.

PAC

Political Action Committee; limited donations, direct to candidates.

Super PAC

Can raise/spend unlimited money; cannot coordinate with candidates.

Interest Group

Organization that tries to influence public policy.

Lobbying

Direct efforts to influence lawmakers.

Grassroots Lobbying

Citizens encourage lawmakers to act on issues.

Free-Rider Problem

People benefit from interest groups without contributing.