AP GOV MONSTER VOCAB UNIT 1

Liberal

Ideologically supports a stronger government programs and market regulation.

Conservative

Ideologically supports lower taxes, less government, and a free market.

Political socialization

The process by which an individual develops his and her political beliefs.

Demographics

The statistical characteristics of a population.

Political culture

The shared political values of a society.

Party polarization

When political parties move farther away from each other ideologically and also move farther from the center.

Gender Gap

The tendency of men to support the Republican party at greater rates than women.

Political efficacy

An individual’s belief that his or her political participation can make a difference.

Dealignment

When voters no longer identify with one of the two major parties and become independent voters.

Realignment

The process through which voters leave one party coalition and join the other party’s coalition.

Divided government

When the President is from one political party and one or both houses of Congress are controlled by the opposing party.

Random sample

A subsection of a population chosen to participate in a survey in which every member of the whole population has an equal chance of being chosen.

Intensity

How strongly a person feels about a political issue.

Salience

The extent to which people believe political issues are relevant to them.

Life Cycle Effects

The impact of a person’s age and stage in life on his or her political views.

Generational effects

The impact of historical events experienced by a generation upon their political views.