AP Government: Unit 4 American Political Ideologies and Beliefs

Political Culture

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

Individualism

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

Equality of Opportunity

The U.S. was founded on the idea that all people are created equal and should have the chance to succeed.

Laissez-faire or Free Enterprise

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

Rule of Law

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

The constitutional system of checks and balances was designed to keep one branch from becoming so powerful that it is above the law.

Limited Government

A core American value, rooted in natural rights theory (John Locke) and the Declaration of Independence.

Political Socialization

The experiences and factors that shape an individual's political values, attitudes, and behaviors.

Political Ideology

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

Generational Effect

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

Life-cycle Effect

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

Globalization

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

Outsourcing

When a company moves its business to a place where labor costs are cheaper or production is more efficient because workers work longer hours.

Focus Group

A small group of individuals assembled for a conversation about specific issues.

Scientific Poll

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

Sample

A group of individuals from a larger population used to measure public opinion.

Random Selection

A method of choosing all poll respondents in a way that does not over- or underrepresent any group of the population.

Representative Sample

A sample that reflects the demographics of the population.

Weighting

A procedure in which the survey is adjusted according to the demographics of the larger population.

Sampling Error

The margin of error in a poll, which usually is calculated to plus or minus three percentage points.

Mass Survey

A survey designed to measure the opinions of the population, usually consisting of 1,500 responses.

Entrance Survey

A poll conducted of people coming to an event.

Exit Poll

A survey conducted outside a polling place in which individuals are asked who or what they just voted for and why.

Benchmark Poll

A survey taken at the beginning of a political campaign in order to gauge support for a candidate and determine which issues are important to voters.

Tracking Poll

A survey determining the level of support for a candidate or an issue throughout a campaign.

Random Digit Dialing

The use of telephone numbers randomly generated by computer to select potential survey respondents.

Question Order

The sequencing of questions in public opinion polls.

Question Wording

The phrasing of a question in a public opinion poll.

Right

Privilege

Party Ideology

A party’s philosophy about the proper role of government and its set of positions on major issues.

Party Identification

An individual’s attachment to a political party.

Conservatism

An ideology favoring more control of social behavior, fewer regulations on businesses, and less government interference in the economy.

Liberalism

An ideology favoring less government control over social behavior and more greater regulation of businesses and of the economy.

Libertarianism

An ideology favoring very little government regulation and intervention beyond protecting private property and individual liberty.

Laissez-Faire Economy

Economic policy in which governments intrude as little as possible in the economic transactions between citizens and businesses.

Command-and-Control Economy

An economic policy in which the government dictates much of a nation’s economic activity, including the amount of production and price for goods.

Mixed Economy

An economic policy in which many economic decisions are left to individuals and businesses, with the government regulating economic activity.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The total value of goods and services produced by an economy.

Economic Recession

A period of decline in economic activity, typically defined by two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth.

Unemployment Rate

The percentage of people actively looking for work who cannot find jobs.

Inflation

The rise in the prices of goods and services.

Consumer Price Index (CPI)

The cost of a fixed basket of goods and services over time, used to measure the cost of living.

Fiscal Policy

The government’s use of taxes and spending to attempt to lower unemployment, support economic growth, and stabilize the economy.

Federal Reserve System

A board of governors, Federal Reserve Banks, and member banks responsible for monetary policy.

Monetary Policy

A set of economic policy tools designed to regulate the amount of money in the economy.Medicare

Medicare

A federal program that provides health insurance to seniors and the disabled.

Medicaid

A federal program that provides health care for the poor.