AP Government Unit 4

Individualism

a social and political philosophy that promotes individual well-being over the well-being of society as a whole (Survival of the Fittest)

Collectivism

NOT U.S. POLITICAL CULTURE

suggestion that the needs of society should come before individual wellbeing, therefore individuals may need to sacrifice their own happiness at times for the good of society

Benchmark Poll

poll taken at the beginning of an election cycle to establish a stratey for campaigns

Tracking Poll

series of polls taken overtime to assess changes in public opinion

Exit Poll

poll given to people on election day as they are physically leaving voting station in order to predict winners of elections but also to understand how certain segments of voting population voted

Scientific Polling

polling conducted using commonly accepted guidelines for gathering reliable statistical results; at a minimum requires a randomly selected sample for a relevant population and clear, unbiased questions

Sample

subset of the population actually survveyed

Pollster

person or group of peraona who conducts the poll

Straw Poll

unofficial survey taken from a group of people who have already assembled for a purpose (unscientific in measuring widespread public opinion)… likely biased response

Margibn of Error

maximum expected difference between the results of the poll and the opinions actually held by a population as a whole (±4 is considered acceptable margin of error for scientific polling)

Keynesian Economics

economic theory characterized by a belief that government should manage economy by reguling DEmand whn correcting Economic fluctuations in the business cycle and to promote policies of Economic growth

Fiscal Conservatism

Political and economic theory advocating for lower taxes and a balanced budget

Social Conservatism

is the belief that society is built upon a fragile network of relationships which need to be upheld through duty, traditional values and established institutions. This can include moral issues.

Libertarianism

politcal philosophy that advocates for minimal government involvement in both personal behavior and business decisions unless clearly detrimental to others in society