GOV U 3

Public opinion

what the public thinks about a particular issue or set of issues at any point in time

Public opinion polls

interviews or surveys with samples of citizens that are used to estimate the feelings and beliefs of the entire population

George Gallup

one of the earliest developers of scientific methods for public opinion polling and proponent for strong role for the voice of the public in politics

Walter Lippmann

wrote Public Opinion in 1922, increased use of polling

straw poll

unscientific survey used to gauge public opinion on a variety of issues and policies

1936 literary digest poll

first straw poll, lots of error

American National Election Studies

founded in 1952 by researchers at Umich and Stanford; collects data on political attitudes and behavior among voters

Name recognition survey

candidates find out the # of people who have heard of them

push polls

polls taken for the purpose of providing information on an opponent that could lead respondents to vote against that candidate

tracking polls

A series of polls conducted over time to monitor shifts in public opinion, often used during election campaigns.

Random sample

A method of surveying where every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected, ensuring representativeness.

Majority opinion

The viewpoint held by more than 50% of the population, often used in decision-making and voting.

Sampling error

The difference between the results from a sample and the actual results from the entire population; it quantifies the margin of uncertainty in survey data. (accuracy)

Silent majority

A term popularized by President Richard Nixon, referring to a presumed large group of Americans who supported his policies but didn't express their views publicly.

Middle America

A reference to the geographic and demographic heartland of the United States, often associated with traditional values and swing-state politics.

Publics

Groups of people who share common interests, concerns, or characteristics and may be targeted by political campaigns and policies.

Population

The entire group that a survey or poll aims to study, which can be large and diverse.

Margin of error

A statistical measure indicating the potential variability or inaccuracy in survey results due to sample size and methodology.

± 3 % when standard sample of 1500

John Q Public

A generic name used to represent the typical or average citizen in discussions of public policy and opinion.

Exit poll

Surveys conducted with voters right after they have cast their ballots to predict election outcomes and understand voter preferences.

Random sample

A method of surveying where every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected, ensuring representativeness.

Stratified sample

A sampling method that divides the population into distinct subgroups or strata, then selects a random sample from each stratum to ensure representation of different characteristics or attributes within the population.

Moral majority

A political organization founded by religious conservatives in the 1980s, advocating for moral and social issues to influence American politics.

Political attitude

An individual's views, beliefs, and predispositions regarding political matters, shaping their decisions and behaviors in the political arena.

Political ideology

A coherent set of political beliefs and values that guide a person's stance on various political issues, often categorized as liberal, conservative, or moderate.

Social status

An individual's position in society, influenced by factors such as income, education, and occupation, which can impact their political views and opportunities.

Religious tradition

The set of beliefs, practices, and customs associated with a particular faith or religious group, often influencing political values and affiliations.

Christian coalition

A conservative political organization founded in the 1980s, focusing on mobilizing Christian voters and promoting socially conservative policies.

Contract with america

A set of policy proposals and campaign promises presented by the Republican Party in the 1994 midterm elections, aimed at promoting smaller government and conservative values.

Gender gap

The statistical difference in political attitudes, voting preferences, and participation rates between men and women, often reflecting diverse gender-based perspectives on key issues.

Political cleavage

(wedge issues) Deep divisions or splits within a society or political system, often related to contentious issues or identity factors, influencing political dynamics.

Middle class

The socioeconomic group situated between the working class and the upper class, characterized by moderate income and often seen as a key electoral demographic.

Working class

A socio-economic group typically engaged in manual or blue-collar labor, often associated with traditional working-class values and political attitudes.

Upper class

The highest socio-economic stratum in society, typically characterized by significant wealth and influence, which can impact political access and policy advocacy.

Blue collar

Refers to manual or industrial workers, often engaged in labor-intensive jobs, and may have distinct political perspectives and priorities.

White collar

Describes professionals and office workers typically engaged in non-manual or administrative work, influencing their political concerns and affiliations.

Affirmative action

Policies or initiatives designed to address historical and ongoing discrimination by providing opportunities and advantages to underrepresented groups, particularly in education and employment.

George Wallace

Alabama; A prominent American politician known for his segregationist stance and multiple runs for the U.S. presidency in the 1960s and 1970s.

Liberal

A political ideology favoring progressive social policies, government intervention, and individual rights, often associated with the Democratic Party in the U.S.

Conservative

A political ideology emphasizing traditional values, limited government, and free-market principles, often linked to the Republican Party in the U.S.

Social conservative

A subset of conservatism focused on preserving traditional social and moral values, such as opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion.

Moderate

A political stance characterized by a middle-of-the-road approach, often incorporating elements of both liberal and conservative ideologies, emphasizing compromise and pragmatism.

Radical

A political ideology advocating for extreme changes to the existing social or political order. For example, the French Revolution included radical elements seeking dramatic societal transformation.

Centrist

A political position that falls between the left and right-wing ideologies, often characterized by a preference for moderate policies and compromise.

Left wing

A political ideology that emphasizes social equality and government intervention, often associated with policies like universal healthcare and wealth redistribution.

Right wing

A political ideology favoring limited government intervention, traditional values, and free-market principles, as seen in conservative policies like tax cuts.

Populist

A political approach that champions the interests of ordinary people against the political elite, often associated with leaders like Andrew Jackson.

Libertarian

A political ideology advocating for minimal government intervention in both social and economic affairs, promoting individual freedom and limited regulation.

Statist

A political ideology favoring a strong, centralized government with significant control over the economy and society, seen in some socialist regimes.

Americanism

A term representing the cultural and ideological values associated with American identity, which can vary in meaning depending on context.

Socialization

The process through which individuals acquire the values, beliefs, and behaviors of their culture or society.

Barry Goldwater

A prominent conservative figure and the 1964 Republican presidential nominee, known for his strong support of small government and conservatism.

Free market

An economic system characterized by minimal government intervention, allowing businesses to operate with limited regulation and competition.

Quota

A fixed limit on the number of people or items, often used in the context of immigration quotas or affirmative action policies.

Elites

A term describing a small, influential group of people who hold power and influence in society, often associated with wealth or education.

Nomenklatura

A term used to describe the Soviet Union's politically influential and well-connected individuals who held key positions within the Communist Party.

Joe Six-Pack

A colloquial term referring to an average, working-class American, often used in political discourse to discuss the concerns of everyday citizens.

Norm

A standard or expectation for behavior or beliefs within a particular society, often influenced by cultural or social values.

Apathy

A lack of interest or enthusiasm, often applied to describe voter disengagement and low political participation.

Race v Ethnicity

"Race" typically refers to biological and physical characteristics, while "ethnicity" relates to shared cultural and social attributes.

Motor-Voter law

Legislation allowing eligible voters to register when obtaining or renewing their driver's license, increasing voter registration rates.

Suffrage

The right to vote, which has been a significant focus of political and civil rights movements throughout history.

Franchise

In the context of voting, it refers to the right to participate in elections, often related to suffrage.

Jim Crow Laws

A series of segregation laws in the southern U.S. following the Civil War, enforcing racial discrimination.

Literacy tests

A method used to restrict voting by requiring voters to prove their literacy, often used to disenfranchise minority voters.

Poll tax

A tax imposed on voters as a requirement to vote, historically used to discourage and disenfranchise African American voters.

Grandfather clause

A legal provision that allowed individuals to vote if their ancestors had been eligible to vote, used to exclude African Americans during the Jim Crow era.

White primary

A practice in the Southern U.S. that prohibited African Americans from participating in primary elections.

Voting rights act of 1965

Landmark legislation that aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting, particularly in the South.

Voting rights act of 1970

An extension of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, reinforcing protections against racial discrimination in voting.

26th amendment

Granted 18 years olds right to vote

Voter turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who participate in an election, indicating the level of civic engagement.

Australian ballot

A secret ballot system used in many countries, including the U.S., to ensure the privacy and independence of voters.

Inactive

A voter status indicating that a registered voter is not participating in recent elections or has not updated their registration.

Activist

An engaged citizen who actively participates in political activities, such as organizing rallies, advocating for causes, or participating in protests.

Voting specialist

A political role often used to describe individuals who focus primarily on voting issues and encourage others to vote.

Campaigner

A political role often taken by individuals or organizations involved in political campaigns, focusing on promoting a specific candidate or issue.

Communalist

A voter or political actor who emphasizes community and collective decision-making over individual interests.

Parochial

A voter or political actor who is highly localized in their focus and less interested in broader political affairs.

nonvoter

An individual who is eligible to vote but chooses not to participate in elections.

Interest articulation

The process through which individuals and groups express their interests and concerns in the political arena. For example, interest groups like the NRA advocate for gun rights in the United States.

Democracy

A political system where the power is vested in the people, who have the authority to elect their leaders and participate in decision-making.

Direct democracy

system of gov in which all members of the community take part in making the decisions that affect the community. purest form of democracy. ex include referendum and initiative

representative democracy

indirect form of gov in which citizens elect a legislative and representatives are held to account by elections. incomplete and theoretical form of democratic gov

Full democracy

A political classification indicating a strong and well-functioning democratic system, like those in Scandinavian countries.

flawed democracy

A system with democratic elements but significant issues or limitations, as seen in some Eastern European nations. some even consider US dem to be flawed

Liberal vs illiberal

Liberal democracies prioritize individual rights and freedoms, while illiberal regimes may restrict these rights in favor of stability or control, exemplified by countries like Sweden and China, respectively.

Democratization

The process of transitioning to a democratic political system, as observed in countries like South Africa after apartheid.

Polyarchy

A democratic system characterized by multiple centers of power and competitive politics, common in Western democracies.

Quantity, variety, proportion

Elements of political representation that seek to ensure a balance of interests and voices in democratic systems, as in proportional representation electoral systems.

Provincial

Refers to issues, actions, or institutions at the regional or local level, distinct from the national or central government.

Personal interest contacts

Individual interactions with political figures or policymakers to address personal concerns, such as constituents meeting with legislators.

Protests

Public demonstrations, rallies, or gatherings where citizens express their grievances, like the civil rights protests in the 1960s in the United States.

Voter turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who participate in an election, indicating the level of civic engagement and political interest.

Political party

An organized group of people with common political aims, often competing in elections, such as the Democratic and Republican parties in the United States.

Grassroots

Political movements or actions initiated and led by ordinary citizens at the local level, as seen in grassroots campaigns in community activism.

Single party, two party, multiparty

Refers to the number of significant political parties in a system, such as China (single party), the U.S. (two-party), and India (multiparty).

Absolute, totalitarian, despotism

Forms of authoritarian government characterized by extensive centralized control, as exemplified by the North Korean regime.

Presidential monarchy

A political system where a monarch and a president share power, as seen in Jordan.

Cult of personality

A situation where a leader's image and persona are elevated to near-divine status, often used to describe leaders like North Korea's Kim Jong-un.