Key Concepts in U.S. Social and Economic Policy

4th Amendment

The 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. It requires any warrant to be judicially sanctioned and supported by probable cause.

ADC (Aid to Dependent Children)

Provided financial assistance to low-income families with children from 1935 to 1962.

AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children)

Expanded benefits from 1962 to 1996 but faced criticism for discouraging work.

TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

Replaced AFDC in 1996, introducing stricter work requirements and time limits.

Collective Bargaining

The process by which workers, through their unions, negotiate with employers to determine wages, hours, benefits, and other terms of employment.

Descriptive Representation

The idea that elected representatives should reflect the demographics of their constituents, including race, gender, and socio-economic status, to ensure diverse perspectives in policymaking.

Deserving vs. Undeserving Poor

A distinction in public perception and policy, where the 'deserving' poor are those seen as having fallen on hard times through no fault of their own, while the 'undeserving' poor are those perceived as responsible for their economic situation.

Dog Whistling

The use of coded language in political messaging that conveys a specific, often divisive, meaning to a targeted subgroup without being overtly explicit.

Economic Mobility (Absolute vs. Relative)

Absolute Mobility measures whether a person is better off financially than their parents, while Relative Mobility assesses a person's movement within the income or wealth distribution relative to others.

Feedback

In policy studies, the idea that policies can shape future political dynamics by altering political resources, incentives, and citizen behavior.

Gentrification

The process by which wealthier individuals move into a historically lower-income neighborhood, leading to rising property values, displacement of existing residents, and changes in the area's character.

Gini Coefficient

A statistical measure of income or wealth inequality within a society, ranging from 0 (complete equality) to 1 (complete inequality).

Inequality Trap

A cycle where high inequality leads to reduced economic mobility, reinforcing and perpetuating disparities over generations.

Keynesianism

An economic theory advocating for government intervention in the economy, particularly through fiscal and monetary policies, to manage demand and reduce unemployment during economic downturns.

Lopez's Three Models of Racism

Ian Haney López's framework describing three forms of racism: Overt Racism (explicit discrimination), Implicit Bias (unconscious associations or attitudes), and Structural Racism (systemic disparities embedded in institutions and policies).

Mass Incarceration

The substantial increase in the U.S. prison population since the 1970s, disproportionately impacting people of color due to policies like the War on Drugs and mandatory minimum sentencing.

New Jim Crow

A concept popularized by Michelle Alexander, describing the mass incarceration of Black Americans as a racial caste system, involving phases like arrest, trial, sentencing, and reentry.

Neoliberal Paternalism

A form of governance that combines free-market policies with strict social controls, emphasizing individual responsibility while reducing welfare support.

Neoliberalism

An economic and political ideology promoting free markets, deregulation, privatization, and reduced government spending. It often emphasizes individual responsibility over collective welfare.

NIMBY

Opposition to nearby projects despite broader support for them.

YIMBY

Support for local development and housing growth to address affordability and density.

Out of Touch

Representatives disconnected from their constituents' experiences.

Out of Step

Representatives whose views or actions diverge from their constituents' preferences.

Plutocracy

A society or political system ruled or dominated by the wealthy.

Progressive Taxation

Tax rates increase as income rises, placing a larger burden on wealthier individuals.

Regressive Taxation

Tax rates decrease as income rises, placing a relatively higher burden on lower-income individuals.

Racial Wealth Gap

The significant disparity in wealth accumulation between racial groups, driven by factors like historical discrimination, redlining, unequal education, and employment opportunities.

Redlining

The discriminatory practice of denying services, particularly mortgages and insurance, to residents of certain areas based on racial or ethnic composition.

Role of Cross-Class Social Comparisons

The impact of comparing one's economic status to others, which can influence political behavior, social cohesion, and perceptions of inequality.

Southern Strategy

A political strategy used by conservative politicians, particularly in the U.S. South, to gain support from white voters by appealing to racial anxieties.

Strategic Racism

The deliberate use of racial animus as a political tool to gain or maintain power.

The Case That Inequality is a Myth or Overblown

Arguments suggesting that concerns about economic inequality are exaggerated or misplaced, often emphasizing individual responsibility and economic opportunity.

Unionization and Impact on Political Knowledge

The role of unions in enhancing political awareness and participation among workers by providing resources, education, and a collective voice.

Vicious Cycle

A self-reinforcing negative loop, like poverty leading to poor education and reduced economic mobility.

Virtuous Cycle

A self-reinforcing positive loop, like strong wages leading to higher consumption and economic growth.

Wealth Inequality

The distribution of accumulated assets (e.g., property, investments).

Income Inequality

The distribution of yearly earnings or wages.

White Collar Government

The disproportionate influence of wealthy, white-collar professionals in political institutions.

Zoning

Local government regulations that control land use, including residential, commercial, and industrial development.