Democracy Deconstructed - Parts 4-6

Political Socialization

The process through which individuals in a society acquire political attitudes, views, and knowledge, based on inputs from family, schools, the media, and others.

Generation Gap

The cultural separation between children, their parents, and grandparents

Public Opinion

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

Public Opinion Poll

A survey in which individuals are asked to answer questions about a particular issue or person

George Gallup

He came up with a successful statistical method of survey sampling for measuring public opinion

Pew Research Center

An American think tank organization based in Washington, D.C. that provides information on issues, attitudes and trends shaping the United States and the world

Think Tank

A nongovernmental organization that seeks to influence public policy through research and education

Benchmark Poll

A survey taken at the beginning of a political campaign to gauge support for a candidate and determine which issues are important to voters

Tracking Poll

A survey determining the level of support for a candidate or an issue throughout a campaign

Exit Poll

A public opinion surveys used by major media pollsters to predict electoral winners with speed and precision; taken at polling places to ask people how they voted

Random Sample

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion

Sampling Error

The level of confidence in the findings of a public opinion poll. The more people interviewed, the more confident one can be of the results. Strong polls are plus/minus 3.

Skewed Question

A question phrased in such a way that a certain answer is more likely to be given

Political Ideology

A coherent set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and public purpose, which helps give meaning to political events

Conservative

A person who believes government power, particularly in the economy, should be limited in order to maximize individual freedom; support a smaller/less active federal government

Liberal

Supports a larger/more active federal government; seek to maximize equality

Idealogue

Someone who very strongly supports and is guided by the ideology of a particular group (votes based on ideology)

Group Benefits Voters

People who think of politics mainly in terms of the groups they like or dislike

Nature of the Times Voters

Vote based whoever comes up with the best policy to handle current issues; position on politics depends on if times are good or bad

No Issue Voters

Vote for candidates based on their looks or personality, not on the issues of the election