AP US Govt. Unit IV

public opinion polls

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

Democrat vs. Republican

Democrat: Tends to be more liberal and promote a strong central government and expansive social programs

Republican: Tends to be more conservative and promote a limited central government and a strong national defense

Core American Values

liberty, equality, individualism, democracy, rule of law, civic duty

liberal

open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values.

conservative

A person who believes government power, particularly in the economy, should be limited in order to maximize individual freedom.

Libertarian

someone who emphasizes freedom and believes in voluntary association with small government

supply-side economics

An economic philosophy that holds the sharply cutting taxes will increase the incentive people have to work, save, and invest. Greater investments will lead to more jobs, a more productive economy, and more tax revenues for the government.

Political socialization

The process by which we develop our political attitudes, values, and beliefs.

Globalization

Actions or processes that involve the entire world and result in making something worldwide in scope.

Think about of this affects voting tendencies

Recession

a period of temporary economic decline during which trade and industrial activity are reduced, generally identified by a fall in GDP in two successive quarters.

Generational Affect

Certain generations have distinct voting tendencies. Older generations tend to lean more conservative where as younger ones lean liberal/Democrat

exit poll

public opinion surveys used by major media pollsters to predict electoral winners with speed and precision

Usually done as you're leaving the polling place

Political spectrum

a system of classifying different political positions upon one or more geometric axes that symbolize independent political dimensions.

Demography

The scientific study of population characteristics.

public opinion

the distribution of the population's beliefs about politics and policy issues

margin of error

a measure of the accuracy of a public opinion poll

Political ideology

A consistent set of beliefs about politics and public policy that sets the framework for evaluation government and public policy

equality of opportunity

a widely shared American ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential

Left vs. Right

Two sides competing for power during political situations. The right wants thing to remain the same. The left wants change to current situation. Men in America against giving women the right to vote were on the right because they feared granting women more freedom would lead to a social decline.