Unit 4 - Political Culture and Ideology

AP Government Unit 4 Vocab

individualism

The belief that individuals should be responsible for themselves and the decisions they make, emphasizing personal freedom and self-reliance.

equality of opportunity

the principle that every person should have the same chances to succeed and pursue life goals, regardless of their background

free enterprise

an economic system based on capitalism where private businesses operate in competition and are largely free of state control

Rule of law

the idea that all individuals and institiutions, including the government, are subject to and accountable under the law.

Limited Government

a political system in which legalized force is restricted through delegated and enumerated powers, often laid out in a constitution to protect individual rights

political socialization

the lifelong process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs, values, and behaviors, often influenced by family, media, schools, and peers

Globalization

the increasing interconnectedness of economies, cultures, and populations brought about by cross-border trade, investment, and technology. It can influence political beliefs and values through exposure to other nations.

Opinion Polls

Surveys conducted to measure the publics views on issues, candidates, or institutions at a particular time

Benchmark Polls

initial surveys used in a campaign to gauge public opinion and name recognition before significant campaigning begins

Tracking polls

Ongoing surveys used to monitor changes in public opinion over time, often during and election cycle

Entrance and Exit polls

Surveys taken either as voters entering or leaving polling places, often used to predict election outcomes or understand voter demographics and motivations

Random Sampling

A polling method that ensures every individual in the polulation has an equal chance of being selected, making the results more statistically reliable

Margin of Error

a measure of the accuracy of public opinion poll, indicating the range within which the true opinion of the population is likely to fall. A smaller margin of error means greater confidence in the polls results.

Keynesian Economics

The theory that the government should increase spending and lower taxes during economic downturns to stimulate demand and pull the economy out of recession

Supply - side economics

The idea that lower taxes and less regulation will lead to increased production, economic growth, and job creation

Federal Reserve

the central banking system of the United States, which regulates the supply of money and interest rates to help stabilize the economy and control inflation.