AP GOV UNIT 4: POLITICAL IDEOLOGY

Conservatism

Emphasizes tradition, stability, and maintaining established institutions. They prefer gradual change, limited government, and a free-market economy. 

Liberal

Advocates for individual rights, social equality, and government intervention in the economy to promote social welfare. They want to reduce economic inequality, expand access to education and healthcare, and protection of the shared natural environment.

Libertarianism

A political philosophy that emphasizes individual liberty, minimal government intervention, and free markets. They want personal responsibility, and limited government while opposing any government interference in personal, family, and business decisions.

Individualism

The principle of valuing individual rights and independence over collective or state control. It advocates for limited government intervention to protect individual rights and autonomy.

Equality of Opportunity

The idea that all individuals should have the same chance to succeed, regardless of their background. Everyone has the same chance to succeed by being judged on their merits, regardless of their background, and not guaranteed equal outcomes.

Equality of Outcome/Results

Suggests that everyone should end up with similar economic and social conditions, regardless of their starting point. A political concept where individuals in a society possess similar levels of wealth, income, or general economic conditions aiming to achieve societal fairness by minimizing or eliminating differences in substantial things like material possessions.

Free Enterprise

An economic system where private businesses operate competitively for profit with minimal government regulation. Key elements include the private ownership of property, the profit motive for businesses, freedom of choice for consumers and producers, and the driving forces of competition, supply, and demand.

Republicanism

A political ideology centered on the idea of a government in which representatives are elected by the people.

Consent of the Governed

The principle that a government's legitimacy and moral right to use state power is justified and lawful only when derived from the people's consent.

Social Contract

The theory that individuals consent, either explicitly or implicitly, to form a society and accept certain moral and political obligations.

Libertarian

An individual who upholds liberty, personal sovereignty, and individual rights as primary political values. They want to significantly limit the size and scope of government to maximize individual freedom.

Public Opinion

The collective attitudes, beliefs, and preferences that people hold about political issues, policy, and public officials at a given time, measured through polling and surveys.

Public Opinion Poll

A scientific survey used to gauge the collective views, attitudes, and preferences of the population on specific issues, candidates, or public policy. By interviewing a sample of citizens, pollsters can estimate the feelings and beliefs of the entire population.

Opinion Poll

A survey that can measure the opinions of any group, including employees, customers, or members of an organization. The sampling method depends on the poll's purpose; it does not always require a statistically representative sample of the general public.

Scientific Poll

A method of measuring public opinion through structured surveys that use statistical techniques to ensure accuracy and representativeness. This approach enables researchers to gather data about the preferences and beliefs of a sample population, which can then be generalized to the larger population.

Sampling Error

The difference between the results of a public opinion poll and the actual opinion of the total population. This unavoidable discrepancy occurs because pollsters survey only a smaller, representative subset of the population, not everyone.

Margin of Error

A statistical term that represents the amount of random sampling error in a survey's results. It quantifies the uncertainty in the estimation of public opinion, showing how much the results may differ from the true population value.

Random Sample

A subset of a population in which every individual has an equal chance of being selected for a poll or survey. The goal is to produce a representative sample that accurately reflects the opinions of the larger population, thereby reducing bias and enhancing the credibility of the results.

Benchmark (tracking) Poll

The very first poll taken during a political campaign, often before a candidate officially announces their run. It is used to create a baseline measure of public opinion. Then series of surveys that measure changes in public opinion over short intervals, often daily.

Entrance/exit Polls

Surveys of voters conducted on Election Day to gather information on voter behavior and attitudes. The survey is administered as voters arrive or as the exit so the media can report their predictions.

Push Poll

A type of negative campaigning disguised as a legitimate public opinion poll. The poll is not intended to measure voter attitudes but to spread misleading or false information about a candidate to influence voters and "push" them away from that candidate.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses. People tend to seek out and gather information that aligns with their prior beliefs, often testing hypotheses in a one

Agenda Setting

The process by which political actors and the media influence which issues are considered important enough to receive public and government attention. It is a critical initial step in the public policy process, where problems are identified and prioritized.

Bandwagon

A persuasive technique in which people's opinions or behaviors are influenced by the perception that many others are doing the same thing or support a particular idea or candidate. This tactic often uses social pressure to get people to vote for a specific candidate, ultimately making a policy or candidate seem more popular and thus more appealing.

Salience

Refers to the degree of importance or prominence a particular political issue holds in the minds of the public. This can mobilize voters and influence their decisions on Election Day. Voters are more likely to participate when they feel strongly about specific topics that affect their lives.

Polarization

The widening ideological divide and increased animosity between political parties and their supporters, leading to a breakdown of compromise and consensus. This phenomenon involves both the electorate and political elites.