Unit 3 Key Terms/Vocabulary

Political Culture

The

core beliefs and values

of citizens as a group

Political Ideology

An

individual's set of

values and beliefs

about the goals of

government

Individualism

The belief in

individual civil liberties and

freedom over government

restrictions

Neoliberalism

The belief in

limited governmental

intervention in the economy and

society

Communism

The belief in

the abolition of private

property with near total

governmental control of the

economy

Socialism

The belief in the

reduction of income

disparities and the

nationalization of major

private industries

Fascism

Extreme nationalist ideology that

favors authoritarian rule and the rights of the

ethnic majority over those of ethnic minorities

and the political opposition

Populism

Political philosophy that supports

the interests and rights of the common people

over that of the elite

Welfare State

Government

programs to protect

the health and

well-being of

citizens, such as

nationalized health

care

Post

Materialism

When

people have their

basic needs met and

value self expression

and quality of life,

such as environmental

protection and the

reduction of income

inequality

Coercion

The use of force or the threat of force to get someone to do something

Referendum

A policy issue sent by the government to the voters

Formal Political Participation

State-advocated means of participating in politics, such as voting

Informal Political Participation

Participating in politics through protests or criticism

Civil Rights

protections granted by the government to prevent discrimination against groups, like ethnic or religious minorities and women

Civil Liberties

Individual protections from government action, such as freedom of speech

Coinciding Cleavages

internal divisions that structure societies and may be based on class, ethnicity, religion, or territory

Cross Cutting Cleavages

Internal divisions based on different beliefs about the role of government

Civil Society

Autonomous groups (outside of government control)