American Government: Public Opinion, Political Ideologies, and Elections

Vocabulary flashcards covering key definitions and concepts related to public opinion, political socialization, major political ideologies, campaigns, and voting systems.

agent of political socialization

A person or entity that teaches and influences others about politics through use of information.

caucus

A form of candidate nomination that occurs in a town-hall style format rather than a day-long election; usually reserved for presidential elections.

classical liberalism

A political ideology based on belief in individual liberties and rights and the idea of free will, with little role for government.

closed primary

An election in which only voters registered with a party may vote for that party’s candidates.

coattail effect

The result when a popular presidential candidate helps candidates from the same party win their own elections.

communism

A political and economic system in which, in theory, government promotes common ownership of all property, means of production, and materials to prevent the exploitation of workers while creating an equal society; in practice, most communist governments have used force to maintain control.

Contemporary American conservatism

A political ideology consistent with Republican Party policy (Red) that includes several traditions sharing priorities such as limited government, free enterprise, tradition, constitutionalism, and public order, but differing on economics, culture, trade, and federal power.

Contemporary American liberalism

A political tradition representative of Democratic Party policy (Blue) that generally maintains individual rights are essential but argues government may need to act to make opportunity more accessible and protect people from social and economic disadvantages.

delegates

Party members who are chosen to represent a particular candidate at the party’s state- or national-level nominating convention.

district system

The means by which electoral votes are divided between candidates based on who wins districts and/or the state.

early voting

An accommodation that allows voting up to two weeks before Election Day.

Electoral College

The constitutionally created group of individuals, chosen by the states, with the responsibility of formally selecting the next U.S. president.

equality

The principle that people should receive equal treatment, possess equal rights, or have fair opportunities, depending on the context.

exit poll

An election poll taken by interviewing voters as they leave a polling place.

fascism

A political system of total control by the ruling party or political leader over the economy, the military, society, and culture and often the private lives of citizens.

government authority

The legitimate power of public institutions to make laws, collect taxes, protect rights, and provide public services.

horserace coverage

Day-to-day media coverage of candidate performance in the election.

incumbency advantage

The advantage held by officeholders that allows them to often win reelection.

incumbent

The current holder of a political office.

initiative

A law or constitutional amendment proposed and passed by the voters and subject to review by the state courts; also called a proposition.

leading question

A question worded to lead a respondent to give a desired answer.

liberty

The freedom to make choices and act without unjustified interference.

margin of error

A number that states how far the poll results may be from the actual preferences of the total population of citizens.

midterm elections

The congressional elections that occur in the even-numbered years between presidential election years, in the middle of the president’s term.

modern conservatism

A political ideology that prioritizes individual liberties, preferring a smaller government that stays out of the economy.

modern liberalism

A political ideology focused on equality and supporting government intervention in society and the economy if it promotes equality.

open primary

An election in which any registered voter may vote in any party’s primary or caucus.

platform

The set of issues important to the political party and the party delegates.

political action committees (PACs)

Organizations created to raise money for political campaigns and spend money to influence policy and politics.

political culture

The prevailing political attitudes and beliefs within a society or region.

political elite

A political opinion leader who alerts the public to changes or problems.

political ideology

A set of connected ideas about how society should be organized, how power should be distributed, what government should do, and what rights people should possess.

political socialization

The process of learning the norms and practices of a political system through others and societal institutions.

public opinion

A collection of opinions of an individual or a group of individuals on a topic, person, or event.

random sample

A limited number of people from the overall population selected in such a way that each has an equal chance of being chosen.

recall

The removal of a politician or government official by the voters.

referendum

A yes or no vote by citizens on a law or candidate proposed by the state government.

representative sample

A group of respondents demographically similar to the population of interest.

residency requirement

The stipulation that citizen must live in a state for a determined period of time before a citizen can register to vote as a resident of that state.

socialism

A political and economic system in which government uses its authority to promote social and economic equality, providing everyone with basic services and equal opportunities and requiring citizens with more wealth to contribute more.

straight-ticket voting

The practice of voting only for candidates from the same party.

super PACs

Officially known as Independent Expenditure-Only Committees; organizations that can fundraise and spend as they please to support or attack a candidate but not contribute directly to a candidate or strategize with a candidate’s campaign.

theory of delegate representation

A theory that assumes the politician is in office to be the voice of the people and to vote only as the people want.

traditional conservatism

A political ideology supporting the authority of the monarchy and the church in the belief that government provides the rule of law.

voting-age population (VAP)

The number of citizens over eighteen.

voting-eligible population (VEP)

The number of citizens eligible to vote.

winner-take-all system

A system where all electoral votes for a state are given to the candidate who wins the most votes in that state.