Chapter 6: The Politics of Public Opinion

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in political socialization, public opinion, political ideology, and related terms, designed to aid in exam preparation.

Political Culture

A common set of beliefs and values shared by Americans, including majority rules, minority rights, equality, private property, individual freedoms, compromise, and limited government.

Majority Rule

The principle that the governance is according to the expressed preferences of the majority, typically defined as 50% plus one.

Minority Rights

Guarantees of rights to individuals and groups that are not part of the majority, ensuring protection from the tyranny of the majority.

Social Capital

The networks, norms, and social trust that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit, as introduced by Robert Putnam.

Political Socialization

The process through which citizens acquire a sense of political identity, influenced by various agents such as family, schools, and mass media.

Agents of Socialization

The individuals, groups, and institutions that influence personal attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding politics.

Public Opinion

A collection of shared attitudes of many different people concerning political issues and public policy.

Divisive Opinion

Public opinion that is strongly divided between two very different views.

Polling

A method of studying public opinion that involves sampling people to gauge their attitudes, preferences, or beliefs.

Political Ideology

A set of beliefs about politics and public policy that shapes how individuals perceive government and its functions.

Political Spectrum

A system for classifying different political ideologies on a gradient from radical to reactionary.

Ethnocentrism

The belief in the superiority of one’s nation or ethnic group.

Demographics

The statistical study of populations, especially human beings, often used to predict political behavior.

Cleavage

Large individual differences within socioeconomic and demographic categories that can influence public opinion and political behavior.

Reinforcing Cleavage

Divisions within society that reinforce one another, making groups more homogeneous.

Cross Cutting Cleavage

Divisions that cut across demographic categories, resulting in groups that are more heterogeneous.