AP Gov Unit 4: American Political Ideologies and Beliefs

Political Socialization

the process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions. Influenced by family, media, religion, college, race, gender, socioeconomic status.

Political Apathy

Lack of interest in political participation.

Political Ideology

a more or less consistent set of beliefs about what policies government ought to pursue

political efficacy

The belief that one's political participation really matters - that one's vote can actually make a difference

Conservative

A person who believes in limited government intervention in the marketplace, but more regulations of social behavior.

Liberal

A person who generally believes the government should take an active role in the economy and in social welfare programs but that the government should not dictate social behavior

Political Spectrum

range of political views that encompass a society

Random Sample

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

Balanced Budget

Budget in which revenues are equal to spending

Budget Deficit

the difference between tax revenue and government spending when government spending exceeds tax revenue

Medicare

A federal program of health insurance for persons 65 years of age and older

Medicaid

Government health insurance to lower income people

Social Security

federal program of disability and retirement benefits that covers most working people

Entitlements

Policies for which Congress has obligated itself to pay X level of benefits to Y number of recipients. Social Security benefits are an example.

Discretionary Spending

Federal spending on programs that are controlled through the regular budget process

Non-Discretionary/Mandatory Spending

Federal spending on programs such as Social Security that cannot be controlled through the regular budget process

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.

Public Opinion

the distribution of the population's beliefs about politics and policy issues. This can be skewed by outside influences, such as family, media, or religion.

Federal Budget

a plan for the federal government's revenues and spending for the coming year. altered and planned by congress and executive branch.

agents of political socialization

individuals, organizations, and institutions that influence political attitudes

Liberal democracy

A political system that promotes participation, competition, and liberty and emphasizes individual freedom and civil rights.

political culture

commonly shared attitudes, beliefs, and core values about how government should operate

Libertarian

One who believes in limited government interference in personal and economic liberties

margin of error

the range of percentage points in which the sample accurately reflects the population

representative sample

a sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population as a whole

moderate

Person whose views are between conservative and liberal and may include some of both ideologies

radical

Favoring drastic political, economic, or social reforms.

reactionary

Ideological view that favors a return to a previous state of affairs

authoritarian

A style of government characterized by submission to authority. It tends to be opposed individualism and democracy. In its most extreme cases it is one in which political power is concentrated in a leader or leaders, who possess exclusive, unaccountable, and arbitrary power.

capitalism

an economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state. This is also called a free enterprise or free market system.

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

social capital

Democratic and civic habits of discussion, compromise, and respect for differences, which grow out of participation in voluntary organizations.

media

various methods for communicating information including traditional forms like newspapers, television and radio, or social media

globalization

the process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.

public opinion poll

a scientific instrument for measuring public opinion

tracking poll

polls conducted by media outlets to gauge the potential outcome of a political election on a periodic basis.

entrance poll

A poll that is taken before voters have cast their votes at the polling stations

exit poll

a poll of people leaving a polling place, asking how they voted.

focus group

A small group of people who meet under the direction of a discussion leader to communicate their opinions about an organization, its products, or other given issues.

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.

issue poll

Measurement of priorities or preferences.

favorability poll

a public opinion poll that measures a public's positive feelings about a candidate or politician

poll results

Influence what issues are considered important; elected positions are most influenced by polls.

demographics

statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it.

platform

a political party's formal statement of basic principles, stands on major issues, and objectives

policy making cycle

Problem identification and agenda setting

policy formulation

policy adoption

policy implementation

policy evaluation

Keynesian economics

Theory based on the principles of John Maynard Keynes, stating that government spending should increase during business slumps and be curbed during booms; governments can manipulate macroeconomic demand through taxation and spending policies in order to foster stable growth.

monetary policy

Government policy that attempts to manage the economy by controlling the money supply and thus interest rates.

fiscal policy

Government policy that attempts to manage the economy by controlling taxing and spending.

social policy

a national government's course of action designed to promote the welfare of its citizens

progressives

Favoring or advocating progress, change, improvement, or reform, as opposed to wishing to maintain things as they are, especially in political matters. The Democratic Party is beginning to publicly identify themselves as progressives rather than as liberals.