AP Government Review Flashcards

Flashcards to review key concepts from the AP Government Unit 4 lecture notes.

What is equality of opportunity?

The idea that each person should have the same opportunities to advance in society.

What is free enterprise?

Belief in the right to compete freely in a market driven by supply and demand with limited government involvement.

What is equality of opportunity?

The idea that each person should have the same opportunities to advance in society.

What is free enterprise?

Belief in the right to compete freely in a market driven by supply and demand with limited government involvement.

What is individualism?

The principle of valuing individual rights over those of the government.

What is limited government?

A political system in which there are restrictions placed on the government to protect individual rights.

What is the rule of law?

Governance based on a body of law applied equally to all citizens; no one is above the law.

What demographic characteristics do political scientists measure to understand people's attitudes?

Age, race, gender, religion, marital status, occupation, and education level.

What is globalization?

Growth of an interconnected world economy and culture facilitated by lowered trade barriers and advances in communication technology.

What is party socialization?

The process by which a person develops political values and beliefs, including interactions with family, friends, school, media, and religious groups.

What are generational effects on political ideology?

The result of common experiences such as the Great Depression, which influenced a generation to favor New Deal policies and the Democratic party.

What are lifecycle effects?

Changes in a person's political views as they age, marry, have children, buy a home, etc.

What are period effects?

The impact of major events or broad social trends on political attitudes.

What is the formative age?

Ages 18-24, when many people form lasting political attitudes.

What is party realignment?

A sharp change in the issues or voting blocs that a party represents.

What is public opinion?

How people feel about issues, candidates, and public officials, often measured by polls.

What is a representative sample?

A relatively small group of respondents who accurately reflect a variety of demographics in the population.

What are benchmark polls?

Polls conducted by a campaign as a race for office begins to provide a basis for comparison for later polls.

What are tracking polls?

Surveys performed repeatedly with the same people to measure changes in opinion.

What are entrance/exit polls?

Polls performed as voters enter and exit voting locations on Election Day.

What is the purpose of a focus group?

A small, demographically-diverse group of people assembled for an in-depth group discussion to gauge reactions to an idea or candidate.

Describe a conservative ideology.

Government should be small, operating mainly at state and local levels, prefer private-sector solutions, and uphold traditional morality.

Describe a liberal ideology.

Government should intervene in the economy and provide social services to ensure societal well-being, and should not regulate private sexual or social behaviors.

Describe a progressive ideology.

Government's job is to address past wrongs and reform systemic issues that caused disadvantage.

What is the Green Party ideology?

Favors strong local government and platforms of nonviolence, grassroots democracy, social justice, and environmentalism.

Describe a libertarian ideology.

Favors limited government in personal, social, and economic issues.

Describe a nationalist ideology.

Promotes the interests of a nation and the superiority of their nation.

What is policy mood?

A measure of the public's preferences toward policy choices.

What is a position issue?

An issue that divides voters, such as gun control or the death penalty.

What is a valence issue?

An issue most voters agree with.

What is fiscal policy?

Government decisions about how to influence the economy by taxing and spending.

What is monetary policy?

Government decisions about how to influence the economy using control of the money supply and interest rates.

What is the role of the Federal Reserve?

An independent federal agency that determines monetary policy with the goal of stabilizing the banking system and promoting economic growth.

What is Keynesian economics?

Encourages government spending to promote economic growth.

What is supply-side economics?

Encourages tax cuts and deregulation in order to promote economic growth.

What is government regulation?

Regulatory actions taken in order to affect decisions made by individuals, groups, or organizations regarding social and economic matters.

What are individual liberties?

Personal freedoms that the government cannot abridge.

What is the right to privacy?

The right to be free of government scrutiny into one's private beliefs and behaviors.

What is social policy?

Public policy related to health care, human services, criminal justice, inequality, education, and labor.