Unit 4 AP Gov Review

American political ideologies & beliefs

Individualism

Each person is responsible for themself, free to do what they want

Equality of opportunity

Each person has an opportunity to succeed, however equality of outcome is not guaranteed

Free enterprise

An economic system based mostly on markets and freedom of people to choose what to buy and sell

Rule of law

No person is above the law

Limited Government

Governmental power is limited by the Constitution

Political Socialization

The process of a person obtaining their political ideology. Mostly occurs through family

Generational effects

Different voting patterns and political beliefs of people from different generations

Lifecycle Effects

People focus on different issues at different points in their life

ex: An 18 year old may be inclined to focus on the price of college, while a 56 year old close to retirement pay be concerned with retirement benefits

Globalization

U.S. political culture has both influenced and been influenced by the political values of people from other countries

Public Opinion Poll

Poll to measure public opinion on a particular issue

Benchmark Poll

Used to find out where a candidate stands before any campaigning; learn strengths, weaknesses, what issues to focus on

Tracking Poll

A continuous poll to chart changes in opinion over time

Entrance / Exit Poll

Taken as people enter / exit polling places on election day. Used to predict election outcome, gain insight on voting behavior, and analyze how different demographic groups voted

Ways to make polls valid

* Take answers from a random sample of people
* Make sure it is stratified (weighted correctly on all demographics)
* Sampling error of +/- 3%

Political Ideology

Consistent set of political values and beliefs about the purpose and scope of government. Typically conservative, liberal, or libertarian

Sampling Error

A polling error arising from using only a sample of a population. Acceptable margin or error is +/- 3%

Conservative

Conservative or liberal or libertarian? Less economic regulation

Conservative

Conservative or liberal or libertarian? Lower taxes

Conservative

Conservative or liberal or libertarian? Cut government spending on entitlement programs

Conservative

Conservative or liberal or libertarian? Increase defense spending, more police, more punishment of crime

Conservative

Conservative or liberal or libertarian? Less concerned with social & economic equality

Conservative

Conservative or liberal or libertarian? Concerned with protecting traditional American values

Conservative

Conservative or liberal or libertarian? Traditional values > individual freedoms

Conservative

Conservative or liberal or libertarian? Support vouchers to attend private schools, including religious schools

Conservative

Conservative or liberal or libertarian? Favor social order

Liberal

Conservative or liberal or libertarian? More economic regulation

Liberal

Conservative or liberal or libertarian? Higher taxes on those with higher incomes

Liberal

Conservative or liberal or libertarian? Favor government spending on entitlement programs to promote social & economic equality

Liberal

Conservative or liberal or libertarian? Decreased defense spending, focus on protecting the rights of the accused

Liberal and Libertarian

Conservative or liberal or libertarian? Government should not regulate private, personal matters (pick two)

Liberal

Conservative or liberal or libertarian? Support public education, oppose vouchers, especially those that can be used to attend religious schools

Liberal and Libertarian

Conservative or liberal or libertarian? Favor social liberty (pick two)

Libertarian

Conservative or liberal or libertarian? Little / no regulation beyond protection of property rights

Libertarian

Conservative or liberal or libertarian? Minimal taxation

Libertarian

Conservative or liberal or libertarian? Dramatic reduction in defense spending, decriminalization of victimless crimes and protecting the rights of the accused

Libertarian

Conservative or liberal or libertarian? Expanded school choice

Keynesian Economics

Governments should stimulate the economy during recessions by increasing government spending to jumpstart the economy

* Mostly favored by liberals

Supply - Side Economics

Government should stimulate the economy during recessions by increasing cutting taxes to encourage businesses to grow and taxpayers to spend more money

* Mostly favored by conservatives

Free - Market Economics

Government should take no action during a recession; the economy will fix itself

* Mostly favored by libertarians

Fiscal Policy

Government tax and spending policies, conducted by Congress and the president

Monetary Policy

Conducted by the Federal Reserve. Controlling the money supply and interest rates to stabilize the economy. Money supply & interest rates are inversely rated

To Lower Unemployment

Lower interest rates & increase the money supply

To lower inflation

Raise interest rates & decrease the money supply