Unit 4 APGOV

Socialization

The experiences and factors that shape our political values, attitudes, and behaviors.

Individualism

The belief that individuals should be responsible for themselves and the decisions they make.

Laissez-faire/Capitalism

An economic system in which the government intrudes as little as possible in the transactions among citizens and businesses.

Rule of law

The principle that no one, including public officials, is above the law.

Political socialization

The experiences and factors that shape our political values, attitudes, and behaviors.

Political ideology

A set of comprehensive and mutually consistent ideas that shape an individual's views on government, politics, and society.

Valence Issue

An issue viewed similarly across different political ideologies.

Wedge Issues

Dividing issues that create a divide among different groups.

Saliency Issues

Issues that are important for a specific group.

Generational effect

Events that occur during a person’s lifetime that shape opinions on both individual and national levels.

Life-cycle effect

The viewpoint changes shaped by the stage of life that you are in when you experience certain events.

Globalization

The increasing interconnectedness of people, businesses, and countries throughout the world.

Outsourcing

The practice of moving business operations to places where labor costs are cheaper or production is more efficient.

Focus group

A small group of people used to gather opinions about a specific topic.

Benchmark poll

Initial polling for a candidate, usually before they announce they are running for office.

Tracking poll

A series of surveys that are given over time to gauge opinion trends.

Push poll

A survey designed to sway voters by using loaded questions.

Party ideology

An individual’s coherent set of beliefs about government and politics.

Conservatism

A political ideology that emphasizes defense spending, traditional values, and less federal regulation in education.

Liberalism

A political ideology that focuses on rights of the accused, separation of church and state, and more freedom on social issues.

Libertarianism

A political ideology advocating for large reductions in defense spending and decriminalization of victimless crimes.

Inflation

The rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises.

Consumer price index

An index that measures the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a basket of goods and services.

Fiscal policy

The use of government spending and taxation to influence the economy.

Monetary policy

The process by which the monetary authority of a country controls the supply of money.

Medicare v. Medicaid

Medicare is a federal program for individuals 65 and older, while Medicaid is a state program that assists low-income individuals.

14th amendment

An amendment granting citizenship and equal protection under the law.

19th amendment

An amendment granting women the right to vote.

Political culture

The shared set of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that define the relationship between citizens and government.

Equality of Opportunity

The idea that all individuals should have the same chance to succeed.

Free Enterprise/Capitalism

An economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods.

Limited Government

A political system restricted in its powers by a constitution.

Checks and balances

A system that ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful.