AP Gov exam: Unit 4 Political Socialization, Ideology and Public Opinion

political culture

a set of basic values and beliefs about a country or government that’s shared by most citizens

(think: culture → many people share similar beliefs)

individualism

individuals possess the freedom to make choices as they wish

equality of opportunity

all people should have the same opportunities (in the name)

free enterprise

private businesses operate in competition with minimal government interference

rule of law

all people and institutions are subject to the same laws that govern society

limited government

powers of the government are restricted by a democracy by the will of the people

political socialization

the process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs and values (political identity)

factors that shape one’s political socialization

family, generation effects, lifestyle effects, education, peers, media, and religion.

generational effects

factor that shapes political socialization; the influence of significant historical events on a particular age group.

example: wars

life-cycle effects

factor that shapes political socialization; the impact of aging and life experiences on political beliefs and values.

public opinion

a collection of shared attitudes of many different people in matters relating to politics, public issues, or making public policy (think the public’s opinion on what’s going on in their country)

opinion poll

assess public opinion

benchmark poll/tracking poll

taken as a way to determine who is ahead or behind in an election

entrance and exit polls

often taken at polling places before/after voters cast their vote. Done to see how voters feel about candidates

sampling error

error in the statistical analysis of the data from polls. happens when the chosen sample doesn’t reflect the entire population → makes results unreliable

straw polls

informal surveys that asked the same question to a large amount of people. they were unreliable

political ideology

a set of beliefs about the role of government and individual behavior in society. (think: political spectrum)

realignment

abandoning/leaving one’s current political party and joining a new one

dealignmnet

abandoning/leaving one’s current party and NOT joining a new one

liberal

-social equality

-welfare

-civil rights

- government intervention in the economy

-liberal doesn’t 100% mean democrat

conservative

-limited government to help people economically

-approaches change cautiously

-conservative doesn’t 100% mean republican

moderate

ideology that falls between liberal and conservative

libertarian

favors little or no national or state government except when they are protecting private property or individual liberty

monetary policy

action taken by federal reserve to increase interest rates → affect economic conditions