AP Government: Political Culture, Socialization, and Ideology Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, core values, agents of political socialization, generational cohorts, and media effects from the lecture notes.

Political Culture

Widely shared beliefs, values, and norms concerning relationships of citizens to government and to one another.

Liberty

An element of political culture centered on preoccupation with individual rights and limiting the power of government.

Equality

The principle of equal vote, equal opportunity, and equality under the law, though not guaranteeing equal wealth or outcomes.

Democracy

A political system in which politicians are held accountable to the people and citizens have a voice and vote on issues.

Civic Duty

The belief that citizens ought to participate in community affairs and serve their local area.

Rule of Law

A system in which laws are codified, published, and applied equally to all citizens, ensuring a government of laws and not of men.

Individual Responsibility

The belief that, barring some disability, individuals are responsible for their own actions, status, and economic well-being.

Individualism

A social theory favoring freedom of action for individuals over collective or state control, valuing individual worth above the government.

Free Enterprise

An economic system where people carry on their economic affairs freely with a hands-off or laissez-faire government attitude.

Invisible Hand

Adam Smith's concept that competition and economic self-interest naturally regulate the market forces of supply and demand without government involvement.

Political Socialization

The complex process by which individuals acquire their political values, beliefs, and attitudes.

Primacy Principle

A principle of early socialization stating that what is learned first is learned best.

Structuring Principle

A principle of early socialization stating that what is learned first structures later learning.

Independent Voter

A voter, also called an unaffiliated or non-affiliated voter, who does not align with a political party and votes based on candidates or issues.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms or supports one's prior beliefs or values while ignoring non-supportive evidence.

Civic Institutions

Non-business, non-governmental, and non-religious organizations that bring together diverse individuals from a community, such as local volunteer or sports groups.

Generational Effects

The lasting impact of significant historical events or cultural experiences during formative years on the political attitudes and behaviors of a specific age cohort.

Greatest Generation

The generation born in 1924 or earlier who lived through the Great Depression and fought in World War II.

Silent Generation

The generation born between 1925 and 1945, characterized as being more cautious than their parents during the Cold War era.

Baby Boomers

The generation born between 1946 and 1964, named for the dramatic post-WWII increase in birth rates.

Generation X

The generation born between 1965 and 1980, known for pragmatism, a strong independent political streak, and skepticism toward government.

Millennials

The generation born between 1981 and 1996, noted for high educational attainment, racial diversity, and generally progressive views on social issues.

Generation Z

The post-millennial generation born between 1997 and 2012, recognized as digital natives and the most racially and ethnically diverse cohort.

Legitimacy

The acceptance and recognition of a government or political system by its citizens as having the right to rule and exercise authority.

Political Efficacy

A person's belief that they can understand and influence political affairs.

Lifecycle Effects

The changes in a person's political beliefs and attitudes that naturally occur as they age and go through different life stages.