AP Gov Unit 4: Political Culture, Public Opinion, and Policy

Political culture

The shared set of beliefs, values, and attitudes Americans have about government and politics.

Core Value: Liberty

The belief that people should have individual freedoms.

Core Value: Equality

The belief that everyone should have equal opportunities and rights.

Core Value: Democracy

The belief that citizens should have a voice in government.

Core Value: Individualism

The belief that individuals are responsible for their own success and independence.

Core Value: Rule of law

The belief that everyone, including government officials, must follow the law.

Core Value: Free enterprise

The belief that businesses and individuals should have freedom to participate in the economy.

Laissez-faire

The belief that government should interfere as little as possible in the economy.

Political socialization

The process through which people develop their political beliefs, values, and opinions.

Generational effect

Political attitudes shaped by major events experienced during formative years (e.g., Great Depression).

Life-cycle effect

The shifting of political beliefs as individuals age and move through life stages.

Globalization

The increasing connection and interdependence of countries through trade, technology, and communication.

Outsourcing

When a company hires another business or workers, often abroad, to perform services.

Public opinion

The collection of attitudes and beliefs held by the public about political issues.

Focus group

A small group brought together for a guided discussion to explore detailed opinions.

Scientific poll

A poll using scientific sampling methods, like random selection, to measure public opinion.

Random selection

A polling method where every individual in the target population has a chance of being selected.

Representative sample

A sample that accurately reflects the demographic characteristics of the larger population.

Weighting

Adjusting poll responses to correct for overrepresented or underrepresented groups.

Sampling error

The difference between a sample's results and what the entire population would answer.

Entrance survey

A survey of voters conducted as they enter a polling place.

Exit poll

A survey of voters conducted after they have voted.

Benchmark poll

An initial poll conducted to establish a baseline of support for a candidate.

Tracking poll

Repeated polls that measure changes in public opinion over time.

Random digit dialing

A polling method in which random phone numbers are generated and called.

Political ideology

A person's set of beliefs about the role government should play in society.

Conservatism

An ideology favoring limited economic regulation, traditional social values, and individual responsibility.

Liberalism

An ideology supporting government economic involvement to promote equality and protect individual rights.

Libertarianism

An ideology emphasizing individual freedom with very limited government involvement in economic and personal matters.

Free enterprise system

An economic system where individuals and businesses make decisions with limited government interference.

Command-and-control economy

An economic system in which the government makes most major economic decisions.

Mixed economy

An economic system combining private enterprise with government regulation and programs.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The total market value of all final goods and services produced within a country.

Economic recession

A significant decline in economic activity, typically defined as two consecutive quarters of declining GDP.

Unemployment rate

The percentage of the labor force actively looking for work but currently jobless.

Inflation

A general increase in the prices of goods and services over time.

Consumer Price Index (CPI)

A measure tracking price changes in a typical basket of consumer goods.

Fiscal policy

The federal government's use of taxation and spending to influence the economy.

Expansionary fiscal policy

Increasing government spending or decreasing taxes to stimulate a weak economy.

Contractionary fiscal policy

Decreasing government spending or increasing taxes to slow down high inflation.

Keynesian economics

The belief that government should stimulate demand through increased spending during recessions.

Supply-side economics

The belief that tax cuts and deregulation encourage business investment and production.

Federal Reserve System

The independent central banking system of the United States that conducts monetary policy.

Monetary policy

Federal Reserve actions influencing the money supply, credit conditions, and interest rates.

Expansionary monetary policy

Actions by the Fed to lower interest rates and encourage borrowing and spending.

Contractionary monetary policy

Actions by the Fed to raise interest rates to slow down inflation.

Medicare

A federal health insurance program primarily for people age 65 and older.

Medicaid

A joint federal and state program providing health coverage to eligible low-income individuals.

Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992)

Supreme Court case that reaffirmed abortion rights but established the "undue burden" standard.

Zelman v. Simmons-Harris (2002)

Supreme Court case ruling that neutral school voucher programs do not violate the Establishment Clause.

Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)

Supreme Court case ruling that same-sex marriage is constitutionally protected under the Fourteenth Amendment.