American Political Ideologies and Beliefs/Political Participation

Individualism

Independence and self-reliance

Equality of Opportunity

Everyone should have the same chance to succeed

Free Enterprise

Free market with little government interference

Rule of Law

Everyone is equal under the law

Limited Government

Government power should be restricted through checks and balances

Political Socialization

-How people develop political beliefs

-Family is our biggest influence

• School, peers, media, civic and religious groups, and globalization

Generational Effect

Your generation influences political views because of shared experiences

Silent Generation

-Influenced by the Great Depression and FDR’s New Deal

-Reliable voters

-Many trusted the government to help during crisis

Baby Boomers

-Influenced by the Vietnam War and Watergate Scandal

-Led to distrust of governement; many left Democrat to Republican (Reagen Democrats)

Millenials

-Influenced by 9/11

-Increased focus on global politics and foreign policy

-More accepting of government intervention in the economy

Scientific Polls

Uses random sampling, ensuring everyone has an equal chance of being selected, which makes it representative and mathematically valid

Opinion Poll

Uses convenience sampling (e.g., "whoever clicks this link"), making it biased towards whoever feels strongly enough to respond

Benchmark Poll

Taken at the start of the campaign to show starting support

Exit Poll

A survey conducted on Election Day where voters are interviewed immediately after leaving polling locations to project winners and understand voter behavior, demographic shifts, and key issue

Random Sample

Everyone has an equal change of being chosen

Representation Sample

Matches the demographics of the population

Sampling Error

Difference between poll results and actual opinion (3-4% margin of error)

Mass Survey

Large groups give quantitative (numerical) data

Focus Group

Small discussion group, give qualitative (detalied) opinions

Bandwagon Effect

People are more likely to support the candidates who appear to be winning

Social Desirability Bias

People give answers that seem socially acceptable

Non-response Bias

Certain groups are less likely to answer polls

Partisan Polls

Polls run by political groups may be biased and unreliable

Political Ideology

A set of beliefs about government, politics, and public policy

Linkage Instituton

Intermediate area between people and policy makers to keep people informed (e.g. political parties, interest groups, elections, media)

Coalition

A group of voters with shared interest

Fiscal Policy

-Government decisions about spending and taxation

-Controlled by Congress

Monetary Policy

-Controls money supply in the economy

-Managed by the Federal Reserve

Keynesian Economics

Government should increase spending during downturns

Supply-Side Economics

-The idea that helping businesses the economy improves

-Focus on production (supply)

-Policies: Lower taxes and less regulation

Franchise

The right to vote

15th Amendment

Black men gained voting rights

17th Amendment

Civilians can directly elect senators

19th Amendment

Women gained voting rights

24th Amendment

Poll taxes banned

26th Amendment

Voting age lowered to 18

Rational Choice

Voters choose candidates based on personal benefits; they evaluate issues and policies carefully

Retrospective

Voters decide bases on past performance of politicians

Prospective

Voters decide based on future policies or promises

Party-Line

Voting for all candidates from the same political party

How have political parties shifted?

Shift from party-centered to candidate-centered platforms

Party Realignment

A major shift in party support because of:

-repeated election losses

-changes in campaign finance laws

-changes in public opinion

-communication changes

Winner-Take-All-Sytem

The candidate with the most votes gets all representation (electoral collage)