AP Gov Unit 4

Political Culture

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

Individualism

A focus on individual rights and responsibilities

Rule of Law

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

Limited Government

A principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.

Equality of Opportunity

the idea that each person is guaranteed the same chance to succeed in life

Free Enterprise

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

political socialization

The process by which we develop our political attitudes, values, and beliefs. Often influenced by family, peers, social media, mass media, school, and religious organizations

lifecycle effects

As people become middle-aged, they become more politically conservative, less mobile, and more likely to participate in politics.

generational effects

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

public opinion

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

Melting Pot Theory

American culture is a blend of many different cultures

Benchmark Polling

initial poll on a candidate and issues on which campaign strategy is based and against which later polls are compared

tracking polling

measure changes in public opinion over the course of days, weeks, months, or years by repeatedly asking respondents the same questions to measure changes in their responses

entrance polls

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

exit poll

public opinion surveys used by major media pollsters to predict electoral winners with speed and precision

random sample

a sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion

representative sample

a sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population as a whole

mass survey

a way to measure public opinion by interviewing a large sample of the population

focus group

A small group of people who meet under the direction of a discussion leader to communicate their opinions about a politician, political policies, or critical issues.

random digit dialing

A technique used by pollsters to place telephone calls randomly to both listed and unlisted numbers when conducting a survey.

sampling error (margin of error)

a statistical calculation of the difference in results between a poll of a randomly drawn sample and a poll of the entire population

leading question

a question that implies that one answer would be better than another

Literary Digest Poll

1936- An inaccurate poll taken on upcoming the presidential election. It over-represented the wealthy and thus erroneously predicted a Republican victory.

political ideology

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

Democratic Party Platform

Supports immigration, abortion, gun control with restrictions, health care reform

Republican Party Platform

Increase defense spending, decrease money spent on social welfare programs, decrease money spent on public education, increase access to vouchers for private schools, cut taxes, oppose gun regulation, pro-life, oppose environmental regulations

Libertarian

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

Green Party

A minor party dedicated to the environment. Shares many social values with the Democratic Party.

Keynesian economics

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

Austrian School of Economics

The importance of individualism and free markets to create the information and incentives needed to manage the complex interactions of an economy. Advocates for minimal government involvement.

corporate tax rate

the percentage of earnings that companies pay to the government

income tax

Tax paid to the state, federal, and local governments based on income earned over the past year.

Liberty vs. Order

determining the balance between people being free to do what they want and the government restricting them in the name of safety

Social Programs

services provided by government to reduce economic inequalities and promote the well-being of citizens

Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations

Promoted laissez-faire, free-market economy (minimal government involvement), and supply-and-demand economics.

political participation

All the activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders or the policies they pursue

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

fiscal policy

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

monetary policy

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

party platform

the statement of policies of a national political party