APGOV Unit 4: American Political Belifes

Individualism

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

equality of opportunity

a widely shared American ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential

free enterpise

an economic system in which private business operates in competition and largely free of state control.

Rule of Law

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

political socialization

the process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions

Political Culture

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

Globalization

the process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.

Political Ideology

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

life cycle effects

The impact of age-related factors in the formation of political attitudes, opinions, and beliefs.

generational effects

the impact of events experienced by a generational cohort on the formation of common political orientations

Demographics

statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it.

benchmark poll

a survey taken at the beginning of a political campaign in order to gauge support for a candidate and determine which issues are important to voters

exit poll

a survey taken at polling places of how people voted

tracking poll

a survey determining the level of support for a candidate or an issue throughout a campaign

opinion poll

an assessment of public opinion obtained by questioning a representative sample.

Public Opinion

what the public thinks about a particular issue or set of issues at any point in time

Veracity of data

the degree to which data is accurate, precise and trusted

reliability of data

the extent to which an experiment, test, or measuring procedure yields the same results on repeated trials

Democratic Party Platform

Political Party that believes government's responsibility is to take care of all the citizens even if it means giving up some individual rights.

Liberal Ideology

A political view that government should protect individual freedom and civil rights

Republican Party Platform

Political Party that belives that government should emphasize limited government, individual responsibility, free enterprise

conservative

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

libertarian

One who believes in limited government interference in personal and economic liberties

Fiscal Policy

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

Keynesian economics

a form of demand-side economics that encourages government action to increase or decrease demand and output

supply-side economics

a fiscal policy theory that boosting the economy relies on cutting taxes and reducing government regulation on producers rather than increasing government spending

Monetary Policy

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

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