Unit 4 - AP United States Government and Politics

Liberal

More likely to change policy with the times.  Supports tax money to help the poor and to provide gov. services.  Supports liberties over order.

Conservative

More likely to be slow to change.  Favors less government involvement in the economy and services.  Supports order over liberties.

Individualism

Places an individual’s interests above the group; people pursue their own self-interest with little government interference.

Equality of Opportunity

Agrees that government support (through laws and policy) creates a level-playing field for opportunity for ALL people.

Free Enterprise

“Laissez Faire” government approach in the economy; the economy would be naturally regulated by the decisions of consumers and producers.

Rule of Law

A government that establishes laws that apply equally to ALL, including government leaders; prevents abuses of power.

Political Socialization

The process by which you develop your political beliefs.

Generational Effects

Defined by the “block” of people in your Age-Group; shared similar cultural experiences and historical shifts.

Lifestyle Effects

The variety of physical, social, and psychological changes that people go through as they age.

Silent Generation

Great Depression & World War II, more conservative on issues like gay marriage and women’s rights; strong on religious values. Patriotic and trusting of the government.

Baby Boomer

Vietnam, Civil Rights Movement, assassinations of JFK, MLK Jr. and more. Conservative with family values, but growing support of gender and race equality and recreational drug-use. Untrusting of the government and champions of the underdog.

Generation X

Détente and Social Liberalism; environmentalism increased, but a general balance existed on gender and race issues. Much more individualistic; less ambitious about political issues.

Millennials

September 11 Attacks and the Great Recession, leans much more liberal than previous generations on gender, race, and drug issues. Interactive with others and independent of expectations.

Public Opinion Polls

Gauges attitudes on issues or candidates.

Tracking Polls

Measures where people stand heading into an election.

Benchmark Polls

Taken prior to announcing candidacy to measure support.

Entrance Polls

Conducted on election day to predict on election.

Exit Polls

Conducted on election day to predict on election.

Approval Ratings

Polls are regularly taken to measure the public’s view of a presidents performance.

Focus Groups

Gaining insight from people in groups of 10-40 people; allows for more in-depth conversations about issues and a candidate.

Sample Error

Margin of error; plus or minus 4% is considered reliable.

Push Poll

Polling that “pushes” certain opinions and viewpoints. Push-polls are considered bias and deceptive.

Bandwagon Effect

A shift in support to a candidate who leads in public opinion polls.

Horse Racing

Predicting election winners based on polling data.

Social-Reliability Bias

Voters may not be honest with Pollsters about who they are voting for.

Bradley Effect

Polls show favor with candidates from minority groups, but election results do not always reflect that.

Non-Response Bias

People who don’t trust media won’t participate in a poll.

Ideology

A comprehensive set of ideas and beliefs.

Saliency

Divisive issues that are intensely important to a party or group.

Moderate

in the middle.

Libertarian

Generally opposed to government intervention in all matters.

Populist

Religious, patriotic, lower-income, low-edu., mostly rural.

Progressive

Urban residents, they challenge government and big business corruption, environmentalists.

Majoritarian

Government will adjust policy based on the will of the majority; often seen first at state and local levels.

Keynesian Economics

Government needs to oversee fluctuating demand and spending by the people, low demand = more gov. spending and/or less taxes, high demand = increases taxes (mostly on the wealthy) and/or decreases in spending.

Supply-Side Economics

Laissez Faire approach (free-market), natural Laws of economics- like supply and demand, will guide the economy, less government taxing = more spending, $$ = more jobs, the gov. will acquire revenue through state sales taxes and corporate profits.

Fiscal Policy

The part of economic policy that is concerned with government spending and taxation.

Monetary Policy

How the government manages the supply of currency and value of the US dollar.

16th Amendment

Allowed Congress to tax people’s income.

Internal Revenue Service

Oversees the tax collection process.

Progressive Tax

increased income = increased taxes.

Flat Tax

all pay the same rate

Federal Reserve Board

A board of seven governors who serve for 14 years and rotate as chairman.

Medicare

Health insurance for 65+; makes up almost 20% of the federal budget.

Medicaid

Health insurance for those in poverty; makes up almost 20% of the federal budget.

Affordable Care Act

A government-provided insurance option for all people; created because of high costs and limitations by private insurance companies.