chapter 6

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to public opinion and political action in AP Government and Politics.

Activist

An individual who actively promotes a political party, philosophy, or issue she or he cares personally about.

Americanism

A belief that Americans consider themselves bound by common values and common hopes.

Blue States

A state with a recent history of voting for the Democratic candidates in presidential races.

Census

A systematic process of collecting and recording data about a population to understand its demographic characteristics and needs.

Civic Competence

A belief that one can affect government policies.

Civic Duty

A belief that one has an obligation to participate in civic and political affairs.

Civil Disobedience

Opposing a law one considers unjust by peacefully disobeying it and accepting the resultant punishment.

Class Consciousness

The tendency to think of oneself as a worker whose interests are in opposition to management.

Democracy

Government by the people, where citizens have the right to vote and influence policies.

Democrats

A political party generally associated with liberal policies advocating for social justice, environmental reforms, and healthcare access.

Exit Polling

A survey conducted with voters immediately after they have cast their votes on Election Day.

Fifteenth Amendment

Prohibits the federal government and each state from denying or abridging a citizen's right to vote based on race or color.

Gender Gap

The observed differences in opinions, preferences, and voting behaviors between men and women.

Ideological Constraint

How deeply ingrained political ideologies can limit or shape the range of policies a government can take.

Individualism

The habit or principle of being independent and self-reliant.

Liberty

The preoccupation of Americans with their rights; belief in freedom as long as it does not harm others.

Melting Pot

The mixture of cultures and ideas that has shaped the American nation.

Minority Majority

The emergence of a non-Caucasian majority, predicted to occur by around 2060.

Motor-Voter Law

Requires states to allow voter registration by mail and at certain state offices.

Nineteenth Amendment

Granted women the right to vote.

Political Culture

A distinctive way of thinking about how political and economic life ought to be carried out.

Political Ideology

A comprehensive set of political, economic, and social views concerned with government roles.

Public Opinion

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

Reapportionment

The process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives every 10 years based on census results.

Registered Voters

Citizens who are registered to vote.

Sample

A relatively small proportion of people chosen in a survey to represent the whole.

Voting Rights Act of 1970

A federal law aimed at eliminating barriers preventing African Americans from exercising their right to vote.