Studied by 2 people
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
