AP Government and Politics: Unit 4 Political Ideologies & Beliefs Flashcards | Quizlet

American Political Culture

A dominant set of beliefs, defined by democratic ideals, principles, and core values.

Politics

The process through which people influence decisions that affect their community.

Right

A justified claim to freedom, protection, or treatment.

Obligation

A duty or responsibility to carry out something.

Moral Right

A claim about what people should be entitled to.

Legal Right

A right that is protected by law.

Moral Obligation

A duty based on beliefs about right and wrong.

Individualism

The belief that people have the ability to shape their lives and destines through the choices they make.

Free Enterprise

An economic system in which the market determines the prices and availability of products, services, and the gov't intrudes as little as possible in the economic transactions among citizens and businesses.

Rule of Law

The principle that no one, including public officials, is above the law, all are accountable and must follow the laws that govern society.

Equality of opportunity

The core American value that everyone should have an equal chance to compete.

Equality of result

The belief that government must ensure that everyone achieves the same economic and social outcome.

Political socialization

The process by which individuals develop their political beliefs, values, behaviors and opinions.

Scientific polling

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

Sampling error

The margin of error in the findings of a public opinion poll, generally calculated to plus or minus $3\%$.

Horserace journalism

Media coverage that focuses on who is ahead rather than on substantive policy issues.

Liberal ideology

A political ideology favoring government intervention in the economy/businesses and support for social equality. Less gov't control over social behavior.

Conservative Ideology

A political ideology favoring free markets, limited government intervention, and traditional social values.

Libertarianism

An ideology favoring very little government regulation and intervention beyond protecting private property and individual liberty.

Fiscal Policy

The use of government taxes and spending to influence the economy. Congress and the president make fiscal policy through laws and the federal budget. Shifts supply and demand.

Keynesianism

An economic theory that government should stimulate economic growth through increased spending during recessions. Demand-side economics. When the economy contracts, weak demand can lead businesses to cut production and jobs. Government can try to support demand by increasing spending or reducing taxes. When demand is pushing prices up, it can try to cool the economy by reducing, spending, or raising taxes. Tends to be democratic.

Supply-side policy

An economic theory advocating for increasing the economy's ability and incentive to produce, invest, and work. Lower taxes on businesses or investments and fewer regulatory barriers. Hopes to encourage production, long-term growth, and investment. Tends to be republican.

Monetary policy

The Federal Reserve's effort to influence the cost and availability of money and credit. Their mission is to increase employment and decrease inflation.

The Wealth of Nations (WoN)

Adam Smith's $1776$ work advocating free markets, division of labor, and minimal government intervention. To limit power from business to serve their own interests over the peoples.

Command-and-Control Economy

Economic policy in which government dictates much of a nation's economic activity, including the amount of production and price for goods.