AP Gov Chapter 10 AMSCO

conservative

A person who believes government power, particularly in the economy, should be limited in order to maximize individual freedom.

liberal

groups that may want government to provide welfare at a higher, though still impoverished income lever; leniency on governments

political culture

set of attitudes that shape political behavior

Individualism

The unique importance of each individual

Equal Protection Clause

14th amendment clause that prohibits states from denying equal protection under the law, and has been used to combat discrimination

free enterprise

Economic system in which individuals and businesses are allowed to compete for profit with a minimum of government interference

Rule of Law

principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern

Limited Government

one kept under control by law and by checks and balances and the separation of powers

Ideology

a comprehensive and mutually consistent set of ideas

valence issues

concerns or policies that are viewed in the same way by people with a variety of ideologies

wedge issues

An issue that divides or causes conflict in an otherwise unified group.

Saliency

the degree to which an issue is important to a particular individual or group.

moderate

Person whose views are between conservative and liberal and may include some of both ideologies

Libertarian

oppose government intervention or regulation

Populists

follow a strict moral code and contribute to charity

progressive

believe in worker´s rights over corporate rights, and they believe the wealthier classes should pay a much larger percentage of taxes than they currently do

political socialization

the process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions (Ex: family, media, peers, religious and civic institutions)

benchmark poll

used to gather general information about people´s views and concerns

tracking polls

ongoing series of surveys that follow changes in public opinion over time

Entrance Poll

A poll that is taken before voters have cast their votes at the polling stations

exit poll

a poll of people leaving a polling place, asking how they voted.

focus group

A small group of individuals who are led in discussion by a professional consultant in order to gather opinions on and responses to candidates and issues.

approval ratings

The percentage of survey respondents who say that they "approve" or "strongly approve" of the way the president is doing his job.

Framing

posing a question in a way that emphasizes a certain perspective

representative sample

randomly selected sample of subjects from a larger population of subjects

universe

the population from which a sample will be drawn

random sample

every member of the universe must have an equal chance of selection into the sample

random digit dialing

a computer randomly calls possible numbers in a given area until enough people respond to establish a sample

Stratification

making sure demographic groups are properly represented in a sample

sampling error

the difference between the results of random samples taken at the same time

push polling

a telephone poll with an ulterior motive

horse race journalism

news coverage that focuses on who is ahead rather than on the issues or who is better qualified

bandwagon effect

a shift in electoral support to the candidate whom public opinion polls report as the front-runner

Bully Pulpit

the president's use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public