AP US Gov Unit 4

Laizzez-faire

idea that government should play a small role in economic affairs

Individualism

a social theory favoring freedom of action for individuals over collective or state control.

Political culture

commonly shared attitudes, beliefs, and core values about how government should operate

political ideology

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

political socialization

the process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions

Scientific poll

a representative poll of randomly selected respondents with a statistically significant sample size, using neutral language

Exit Poll

public opinion surveys used by major media pollsters to predict electoral winners with speed and precision

Benchmark Poll

initial poll on a candidate and issues on which campaign strategy is based and against which later polls are compared

Gender gap

a distinctive pattern of voting behavior reflecting the differences in views between women and men; women are more likely to vote Democratic and support social welfare

Conservatism

A political or theological orientation advocating the preservation of the best in society and opposing radical changes.

Liberalism

A belief that government can and should achieve justice and equality of opportunity.

Libertarianism

An ideology that cherishes individual liberty and insists on minimal government, promoting a free market economy, a noninterventionist foreign policy, and an absence of regulation in moral, economic, and social life.

Fiscal policy

Government policy that attempts to manage the economy by controlling taxing and spending.

monetary policy

Government policy that attempts to manage the economy by controlling the money supply and thus interest rates.

Keynesianism

the belief the government must manage the economy by spending more money when in a recession and cutting spending when there is inflation

supply-side economics

An economic philosophy that holds the sharply cutting taxes will increase the incentive people have to work, save, and invest. Greater investments will lead to more jobs, a more productive economy, and more tax revenues for the government.

Monetarism

the belief that inflation occurs when too much money is chasing too few goods

Medicare

A federal program of health insurance for persons 65 years of age and older

Medicaid

A federal and state assistance program that pays for health care services for people who cannot afford them.

Federal Reserve System

The country's central banking system, which is responsible for the nation's monetary policy by regulating the supply of money and interest rates