AP Gov Unit 4 Vocab

American Core Values

Includes individualism, equal opportunity, free enterprise, and rule of law.

Individualism

Each person has the ability to shape their life and destiny through the choices they make.

Equal Opportunity

All people are given an equal chance to compete.

Free Enterprise

The market determines prices, products, and services.

Rule of Law

Every person, even those in power, must follow and is accountable to the same laws that govern all.

Political Socialization

The process by which individuals develop political beliefs, values, opinions, and behaviors; family, schools, peers, media, and social environments (including civic and religious organizations) contribute to the development of an individual's political attitudes and values.

United States Political Culture

Its democratic ideals, principles, and core values.

Globalization

The increasing interconnectedness of people, businesses, and countries throughout the world. U.S. political culture has both influenced and been influenced by the values of other countries.

Political Ideology

An individuals coherent set of beliefs about government and politics; influenced by generational and life cycle effects, political events, and political socialization.

Generational Effects

Experiences shared by people of a common age.

Life-Cycle Effects

Experiences a person encounters during different life stages.

Scientific Poll

A representative poll of randomly selected respondents with statistically significant sample size, using neutral language.

Opinion Poll

Measuring public opinion on various issues.

Benchmark Poll

A survey taken at the beging of a campaign creating baseline views of a candidate.

Tracking Poll

Follows how views of a candidate change during a campaign.

Exit Poll

Collects data on why people voted the way they did.

Polling Methodology

Is more precise when it includes: i. Accurate sampling methods, including calculating a margin of error ii. Neutral framing of questions (specific and unbiased wording of questions) iii. Accurate reporting (clear reporting and conclusions that can be supported by the data).

Public Opinion

The sum of individual attitudes about government, policies and issues.

Democratic Party

A major political party that generally aligns more closely to liberal ideological positions; D or DEM.

Liberalism

Favors more governmental regulation of the marketplace; generally favors more national government involvement to address some social issues such as education and public health, with less responsibility for these issues left to state governments.

Republican Party

A major political party that generally aligns more closely to conservative ideological positions; R or GOP.

Conservatism

Favors fewer regulations in the marketplace; generally favor less national government involvement to address some social issues such as education and public health, with more responsibility for these issues left to state governments.

Libertarianism

Favor little or no regulation of the marketplace beyond the protection of property rights and voluntary trade; generally favor little national or state government involvement except when national or state government is protecting private property or individual liberty.

Fiscal Policy

Consists of actions taken by Congress and the president to influence economic conditions and includes Keynesian and supply-side positions.

Keynesian Theory

An economic theory that government economic policy should counteract a contraction by by injecting more money into the economy. Democrats often support Keynsian policies, such as the creation of public works projects by the Roosevelt administration as part of the New Deal during the Great Depression.

Supply-side Theory

An economic theory taht proposes lower taxes on individuals and businesses as the most effective tool to combat economic downturns. Often supported by Republicans and called Reaganomics in reference to one of the theory's most influential proponents, Ronal Reagan.

Monetary policy

Consists of actions taken by the Federal Reserve (the Fed) to influence interest rates which affect broader economic conditions.

Federal Reserve

An independent agency which seeks to achieve maximum employment and price stability.