Ideologies

demographics

Statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it, such as sex, age, race, and education level.

political socialization

The process by which we develop our political attitudes, values, and beliefs.

political ideology

A more or less consistent set of beliefs about what policies government ought to pursue.

political culture

An overall set of values widely shared within a society.

public opinion

The distribution of the population's beliefs about politics and policy issues, often measured through polling.

conservative

Holding to traditional attitudes and values and cautious about change, typically concerning politics or religion; favors a smaller central government to protect individual freedom.

liberal

Open to new behavior or opinions and willing to quickly discard traditional values; favors a larger, more powerful central government to promote equality socially and economically.

Equity

The state or quality of being just, fair, or impartial; allocating resources and opportunities as needed to create equal outcomes for all community members.

equality

The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities; the government treating all persons the same under the due process and equal protection clauses.

political opinion polls

Carried out by research organizations using a sample of typical voters, primarily established to gauge voting intentions and leaders' popularity.

exit polling

Polls based on interviews conducted on election day with randomly selected voters outside the voting centers.

margin of error

The range of percentage points in which the sample accurately reflects the population; a measure of the accuracy of a public opinion poll.

benchmark poll

An initial poll on a candidate or an issue that campaign strategy is based on and against which later polls are compared.

tracking polls

Ongoing series of surveys that follow changes in public opinion over time.

sample

A relatively small proportion of people chosen in a survey to be representative of the whole.

Individualism

The belief that individuals should be self-sufficient and prioritize loyalty to oneself over loyalty to a group.

Collectivism

The practice or principle of giving a group priority over each individual, where property is owned collectively through government.

Keynesian Economics

The belief that government must manage the economy through fiscal policy, by increasing spending during a recession and cutting spending during inflation.

supply-side economics

An economic philosophy that asserts tax cuts and deregulation will incentivize work, save, and invest, leading to job creation and economic growth.

monetary policy

Government policy aimed at managing the economy by controlling the money supply and interest rates.

fiscal policy

Government policy focused on managing the economy through controlling taxing and spending.

Federal Reserve System

The country's central banking system responsible for national monetary policy.

Census

The official count of a population, used for demographic analysis.

equal opportunity

The condition where individuals expect comparable chances to compete for rewards, focusing on a level playing field.

Equal outcome

Ensures individuals share in goods or services, focused on results to measure real opportunities.

free enterprise

An economic system where individuals and businesses compete for profit with minimal government interference.

Rule of Law

The restriction of arbitrary power by subordinating authority to well-defined laws.

Polarized

Divided into sharply opposed groups, as seen in the political divide between Democrats and Republicans.