AP Government Unit 4: American Political Ideologies and Beliefs

Individualism

Notion that individuals possess the freedom to make choices as they wish - and are defined by their actions above the actions of a group.

Equality of Opportunity

All people should have the same opportunities to compete and achieve.

Free Enterprise

Capitalism. Private businesses operate free from government control.

Rule of Law

All people and institutions are subject and accountable to the law — fairly applied and enforced.

Limited Government

Government powers are restricted.

Political Socialization

the process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions

Opinion Leaders

individuals who exert direct or indirect social influence over others

Public Opinion

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

Opinion Poll

an assessment of public opinion obtained by questioning a representative sample.

Benchmark Poll

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

Tracking Poll

a poll taken for the candidate on a nearly daily basis as election day approaches

Entrance Poll

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

Exit Poll

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

Straw Poll

unscientific survey used to gauge public opinion on a variety of issues and policies

Sampling

Process by which participants in a poll are selected

Sampling Errors

Percentage of possible errors in the polling process

Core Political Values

individualism, equality of opportunity, free enterprise, rule of law, limited government

Ideology

A consistent set of beliefs by groups/individuals

Political Ideology

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

Radical

Extreme views (especially of the political left)

Reactionary

Extreme views (especially of the political right)

Liberal

Supports active government in promoting individual welfare & supporting civil rights. Interested in political & social change

Conservative

Promotes a limited governmental role in helping individuals economically, supports traditional values, likes government involvement in promoting security, resists change.

Moderate

Person whose views are between conservative and liberal and may include some of both ideologies

Keynesianism

the belief the government must manage the economy by spending more money when in a recession and cutting spending when there is inflation

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.

Libertarian

One who believes in limited government interference in personal and economic liberties

Republicans

Generally conservative political party

Democrats

Generally liberal political party

Contributors to Political Attitudes

Family

Globalization

Schools

Peers

Group Affiliations

Demographic Factors

Mass Media

Opinion Leaders

World Events