UNIT 4: AMERICAN POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES AND BELIEFS

Core values

include individualism, equal opportunity, free enterprise, and rule of law

Individualism

each person has the ability to shape their life and destiny through the choices they make

Equal opportunity

all people are given an equal chance to compete

Free enterprise

the market determines prices, products, and services

Rule of law

every person, even those in power, must follow and is accountable to the same laws that govern all

Political socialization

the process by which individuals develop political beliefs, values, opinions, and behaviors ; family, schools, peers, media, and social environments (including civic and religious organizations) contribute to the development of an individual’s political attitudes and values

United States political culture

its democratic ideals, principles, and core values

Globalization

process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide ; U.S. political culture has both influenced and been influenced by the values of other countries

Political ideology

a set of political ideas and beliefs on how society should function in achieving and prioritizing goals and methods ; influenced by generational effects and life cycle effects, political events, political socialization

Generational effects

experiences shared by people of a common age

Life cycle effects

experiences a person encounters during different life stages

Scientific poll

a human research survey of public opinion using statistical information to randomly select representative respondents and obtain timely results through unbiased questioning

Opinion poll

measuring public opinion on various issues

Benchmark poll

creating baseline views of a candidate

Tracking poll

following how views of a candidate change during a campaign

Exit poll

collecting data on why people voted the way they did

Polling methodology

more precise when it includes: i. Accurate sampling methods, including calculating a margin of error ii. Neutral framing of questions (specific and unbiased wording of questions) iii. Accurate reporting (clear reporting and conclusions that can be supported by the data)

Public opinion

collective opinion on a topic or issue or voting intention relevant to society

Democratic Party

a major political party that generally aligns more closely to liberal ideological positions ; D or DEM

Liberalism

favor more governmental regulation of the marketplace ; generally favor more national government involvement to address some social issues such as education and public health, with less responsibility for these issues left to state governments

Republican Party

a major political party that generally aligns more closely to conservative ideological positions ; R or GOP

Conservatism

favor fewer regulations in the marketplace ; generally favor less national government involvement to address some social issues such as education and public health, with more responsibility for these issues left to state governments

Libertarianism

favor little or no regulation of the marketplace beyond the protection of property rights and voluntary trade ; generally favor little national or state government involvement except when national or state government is protecting private property or individual liberty

Fiscal policy

consists of actions taken by Congress and the president to influence economic conditions and includes Keynesian and supply

Keynesian theory

a macroeconomic theory based on how aggregate demand influences economic output and inflation ; effects of aggregative demand on markets can be mitigated by fiscal and monetary policies to stabilize the economy

Supply

side theory

Monetary policy

consists of actions taken by the Federal Reserve (the Fed) to influence interest rates which affect broader economic conditions

Federal Reserve

an independent agency which seeks to achieve maximum employment and price stability