Chapter 10 Definitions APGov

Public opinion

What the public thinks about a particular issue or set of issues at any point in time.

Green New Deal

A program to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy with the goal of generating 100 percent of the nation's electricity from these sources within ten years.

public opinion polls

Interviews or surveys with samples of citizens that are used to estimate the feelings and beliefs of the entire population.

Straw Poll

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

sample

A subset of the whole population selected to be questioned for the purposes of prediction or gauging opinion.

push polls

Polls taken for the purpose of providing information on an opponent that would lead respondents to vote against that candidate.

population

The entire group of people whose attitudes a researcher wishes to measure.

random sampling

A method of poll selection that gives each person in a group the same chance of being selected.

stratified sampling

A variation of random sampling; the population is divided into subgroups and weighted based on demographic characteristics of the national population.

tracking polls

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

exit polls

Polls conducted as voters leave selected polling places on Election Day.

margin of error

A measure of the accuracy of a public opinion poll within statistical parameters.

sampling error

Errors resulting from the size or the quality of a survey sample.

Political ideology

The coherent set of values and beliefs about the purpose and scope of government held by groups and individuals.

conservative

One who favors limited government intervention, particularly in economic affairs.

social conservative

One who believes that the government should support and further traditional moral teachings.

liberal

One who favors greater government intervention, particularly in economic affairs and in the provision of social services.

moderate

A person who takes a relatively centrist or middle-of-the-road view on most political issues.

satist

One who believes in extensive government control of personal and economic liberties.

libertarian

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

political socialization

The process through which individuals acquire their political beliefs and values.

Public Opinion

refers to how people think or feel about particular things

Supporters

Supporters argue that polling contributes to the democratic process by providing a way for the public to express its opinions

Critics

Critics argue that polls turns leaders into followers

Pollster

Survey people and write reports on it

Census

Survey given to American people every decade to show what the American people are moving towards and away from

Poll

Best way for Americans to input their opinions on key issues, some politicians listen to these and others will not.