Unit 4 AP GOV

American Political Culture

Common beliefs, values, and societal norms that define the relationship U.S. citizens have with their government.

Civic Duty

Citizen participation in government functions such as voting, military service, serving on a jury, and paying taxes.

American Exceptionalism

The belief that U.S. history and development differs from other nations, highlighting a unique American political culture.

Empire of Liberty

The U.S. responsibility to spread the concept of American freedom and self-governance globally.

Equality under the law

The belief that individuals are equally protected under the law and have the same opportunity to achieve their goals.

Individualism

The belief in a high degree of individual liberty and choice over decisions in one's life.

Rugged Individualism

The emphasis on character traits like self-reliance and hard work as keys to success.

Limited government

The belief that government should have limited authority and not interfere in the daily lives of citizens.

Rule of Law

The principle that the law applies equally to every individual and that leaders can be held accountable.

Free enterprise

The belief that government should minimally interfere in the economic activities of the nation.

Alexis de Tocqueville

A French philosopher known for his study of American political culture and democracy.

Consensual political culture

A culture where most people agree on the legitimacy of the government and support its decisions.

Conflictual political culture

A culture where society is divided over politics and cannot reach agreement on government decisions.

Political Ideology

A set of beliefs about what policies the government should pursue.

Conservatives

Individuals who accept the status quo and advocate for limited government and traditional values.

Liberals

Individuals who advocate for change, increased government involvement, and progressive policies.

Progressivism

A far-left ideology supporting increased government action to address social issues and income inequality.

Liberalism

A left-leaning ideology focused on protecting freedoms and increasing government involvement in societal issues.

Moderates

Individuals with views that lie in the middle of the political spectrum, often compromising between liberal and conservative positions.

Conservatism

A right-leaning ideology favoring laissez-faire economics and reduced government spending on social programs.

Libertarians

Individuals advocating for severe limits on government involvement in citizens' lives and extreme free market policies.

Political Socialization

The process by which individuals acquire their political orientations from various influences.

Impressionable age hypothesis

The theory that individuals form their core political views between ages 14-24 influenced by major events.

Family and Peers

Key influences on an individual's political socialization, acting as opinion leaders and shaping political views.

The Media

A significant factor in political socialization, particularly through social media engagement.

Selective Attention

The tendency to focus on information that aligns with one's existing beliefs and biases.

Education

An important influence on political socialization that promotes American values and critical thinking.

Religion

An interpretative factor in political views, with different religious groups leaning towards different ideologies.

Geographical region

A factor influencing political ideology, with different areas in the U.S. leaning liberal or conservative.

Public Opinion

The views held by a nation’s population regarding leaders, policies, and political issues.

Polls

Surveys that measure public opinion by interviewing a portion of the population.

Scientific Polls

Polls that are conducted using random sampling to ensure reliability and representativeness.

Push poll

A type of poll that aims to influence opinions rather than simply measuring them.

Tracking polls

Repeated polls conducted at regular intervals to monitor changes in public opinion over time.

Exit poll

Polls taken immediately after voters leave polling stations, often providing accurate indications of voter preferences.

Bradley effect

The phenomenon where voters may not disclose their true voting intentions for fear of social judgment.

Bandwagon effect

The tendency for individuals to adopt the majority opinion in order to fit in or associate with the winning side.

Political Parties

Organized groups that seek to influence government policy, primarily consisting of Democrats and Republicans in the U.S.

Modern Democratic Party

Characterized by support for a larger federal government and progressive policies.

Modern Republican Party

Advocates for a smaller federal government and reduced regulation, emphasizing fiscal conservatism.

Party Identification

An individual's affiliation with a political party, influencing their political views and behavior.

Libertarian Party

The third largest political party in the U.S., advocating for complete individual freedoms and reduced government.

Fiscal Policy

Government decisions regarding taxation and spending to influence the economy.

Monetary Policy

The management of the money supply and interest rates by central banks.

Social Welfare Policy

Government measures aimed at ensuring the well-being of citizens, especially those in poverty.

Economic indicators

Statistics that provide information about economic performance, such as GDP and unemployment rates.