AP Gov Unit 4 Overview

Rule of Law

No one is above the law.

Limited Government

The government only has limited power.

Individual Liberty

Freedom to do what we want.

Equality of Opportunity

Everyone should have a chance to succeed.

Free Enterprise

The freedom of individuals to compete in the market.

Political Ideology

A certain set of ideas about what government should do.

Political Socialization

The process through which we form our political ideas, often influenced by our parents.

Generational Effects

Different voting patterns emerge across generations.

Life Cycle Effect

Focus on different issues at various points in life.

Major Political Events

Significant events can have a substantial impact on political beliefs.

Focus Groups

A small group of voters gathered for discussion; while the information is more detailed, it may not be representative of the whole population.

Mass Surveys

Used to measure public opinion.

Opinion Polls

A type of mass survey used to measure public opinion.

Tracking Polls

A type of mass survey used to measure public opinion over time.

Benchmark Polls

A type of mass survey used to measure public opinion at a specific point in time.

Entrance and Exit Polls

Used to predict the outcome of elections.

Sampling

The sample must be random and stratified by race, gender, education level, and location.

Sampling Error

±3%.

Neutral Wording

The wording of questions must be neutral.

Conservative Views

Favor more liberty in economic freedoms, advocating for various economic policies.

Liberal Views

Support more government regulation of the economy, believing in Keynesian economics.

Libertarian Views

Desire maximum liberty across all areas, emphasizing minimal government intervention.

Fiscal Policy

Pertains to political decision-making around government spending and taxation.

Monetary Policy

Conducted by the Federal Reserve, it focuses on managing the money supply and interest rates.