AP Gov Unit 4 Vocab

Political Culture

Political culture refers to the shared beliefs, values, and norms about how citizens relate to government and one another. In the U.S., this includes ideals like liberty, democracy, and equality.

How does Individualism relate to Political Culture?

Individualism is related to political culture because it is one of the core values shaping American political culture. It emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and limited government.

Individualism

Individualism is the belief that individuals should be responsible for themselves and their decisions, with limited government interference in personal and economic affairs.

How does Laissez-faire (Free Enterprise) relate to Individualism?

Laissez-faire (Free Enterprise) relates to individualism because both support minimal government involvement, especially in the economy, allowing people to freely make their own economic and social choices.

Laissez-faire (Free Enterprise)

Laissez-faire, or free enterprise, is an economic system in which the government plays a limited role, and private businesses operate competitively for profit. It aligns with the idea that the economy functions best with little regulation.

How does Outsourcing relate to Laissez-faire?

Outsourcing relates to laissez-faire because companies may outsource jobs to lower-cost countries due to minimal government restrictions in a free enterprise system.

Political Socialization

Political socialization is the process by which people acquire their political beliefs and values, often influenced by family, media, school, religion, and peer groups.

How does The Generational Effect relate to Political Socialization?

The Generational Effect relates to political socialization because historical events that impact entire age groups can shape their political beliefs during their early years.

Political Ideology

Political ideology is a consistent set of political beliefs about the role of government in society and the policies it should pursue, such as liberalism, conservatism, or libertarianism.

How do Focus Groups relate to Political Ideology?

Focus Groups relate to political ideology because campaign strategists often use them to understand how different ideologies influence voters' opinions and preferences.

Generational Effect

The generational effect refers to how political attitudes and beliefs are shaped by the historical events experienced by a particular age group, such as 9/11 or the Vietnam War.

How does Life-cycle Effect relate to the Generational Effect?

Life-cycle Effect relates to the generational effect because both describe how age and life experiences influence political views, though life cycle refers to personal development rather than shared history.

Life-cycle Effect

The life-cycle effect refers to how individuals' political beliefs and behaviors change over time as they age and experience different stages of life, such as marriage, parenthood, or retirement.

How does Political Ideology relate to the Life-cycle Effect?

Political Ideology relates to the life-cycle effect because a person's ideology may shift as they grow older and their priorities change, often becoming more conservative.

Globalization

Globalization is the increasing interconnectedness of people, businesses, and governments worldwide, influencing culture, economics, and political systems.

How does Outsourcing relate to Globalization?

Outsourcing relates to globalization because it directly results from global economic integration, allowing companies to move jobs and production overseas for efficiency and cost savings.

Outsourcing

Outsourcing is hiring workers in other countries to perform jobs traditionally done domestically, often to reduce costs in a global economy.

How does Political Culture relate to Outsourcing?

Political Culture relates to outsourcing because debates over outsourcing reflect different values within American political culture, such as prioritizing economic efficiency versus protecting domestic jobs.

Focus Group

A focus group is a small, diverse group whose reactions are studied to gauge the wider public's opinion on issues, candidates, or advertisements. Politicians use them to test messages and strategies.

How do Scientific polls relate to Focus Groups?

Scientific polls relate to focus groups because both are tools used to gather public opinion, but polls provide quantifiable data, while focus groups offer in-depth insights.

Scientific Poll

A scientific poll is a survey of a randomly selected group using statistical methods to ensure accuracy and representativeness. These polls help measure public opinion on various issues or candidates.

How does Political Socialization relate to Scientific Polls?

Political Socialization relates to scientific polls because understanding how people form their political beliefs helps interpret poll results and predict voter behavior.

Sample

A sample is a group of individuals from a larger population selected to participate in a poll or survey meant to represent the views of the entire population.

How does a Representative Sample relate to a Sample?

A Representative Sample relates to a sample because it accurately reflects the demographics and opinions of the population being studied.

Random Selection

Random selection is the method of choosing poll participants that gives every individual in the population an equal chance of being selected, increasing the poll's accuracy and fairness.

How does Random Digit Dialing relate to Random Selection?

Random Digit Dialing relates to random selection because it is a standard method to ensure random selection in telephone surveys by randomly generating phone numbers.

Representative Sample

A representative sample is a group that closely matches the demographics of the larger population, ensuring that poll results can be generalized to the entire population.

How does Weighting relate to Representative Samples?

Weighting relates to representative samples because if a poll doesn't naturally reflect population demographics, researchers use weighting to adjust the results more accurately.

Weighting

Weighting is the statistical adjustment of survey results to correct demographic imbalances, ensuring that the sample accurately reflects the larger population.

How do Sampling Errors relate to Weighting?

Sampling Errors relate to weighting because both improve poll results' accuracy. Weighting reduces bias while sampling errors measure potential inaccuracies.

Sampling Error

Sampling error is the margin of error in poll results that arises because a sample, not the entire population, is surveyed. It indicates how much results might differ from the actual population.

How does a Mass Survey relate to Sampling Error?

A Mass Survey relates to sampling error because the more significant the sample in a mass survey, the smaller the sampling error, improving accuracy.

Mass Survey

A mass survey is a large-scale public opinion poll that measures the views of many people on various issues. It is often used to understand trends in political beliefs and voting behavior.

How does an Entrance Survey relate to a Mass Survey?

An Entrance Survey relates to a mass survey because both are used to collect opinions, but entrance surveys target specific voters as they arrive at polling places.

Entrance Survey

An entrance survey is a poll conducted with voters before they cast their ballots at a polling place. It is used to gauge immediate voting preferences and motivations.

How does an Exit Poll relate to an Entrance Survey?

An Exit Poll relates to an entrance survey because both are conducted around voting times, but exit polls occur after someone has voted.

Exit Poll

An exit poll is a survey of voters immediately after they have voted. It is used by media and analysts to predict election outcomes and understand voter demographics and issue priorities.

How does a Tracking Poll relate to Exit Polls?

A Tracking Poll relates to exit polls because both are tools for observing and analyzing public opinion over time, although tracking polls measures changes over a more extended period.

Benchmark Poll

A benchmark poll is the first poll taken in a campaign, often before a candidate announces their run, to measure name recognition, issue importance, and potential support.

How does a Tracking Poll relate to a Benchmark Poll?

A Tracking Poll relates to a benchmark poll because after the initial benchmark is established, tracking polls measure changes in support over time.

Tracking Poll

A tracking poll is a type of poll that is conducted repeatedly over some time to track changes in public opinion, especially during election campaigns.

How does a Benchmark Poll relate to a Tracking Poll?

A Benchmark Poll relates to a tracking poll because benchmark polls give a starting point that tracking polls monitor for shifts in voter sentiment.

Random Digit Dialing

Random digit dialing is a polling technique where phone numbers are generated randomly to call respondents, helping to ensure random selection and a more representative sample.

How does Question Order relate to Random Digit Dialing?

Question Order relates to random digit dialing because poor question order can still introduce bias into the survey results, even with a random sample.

Question Order

Question order refers to the sequence in which questions are asked in a poll or survey, which can influence how respondents interpret and answer questions, potentially introducing bias.

How does Question-wording relate to Question Order?

Question-wording relates to question order because both are aspects of poll design that can affect the accuracy and reliability of responses.

Question-Wording

Question-wording refers to the phrasing used in survey questions, which can strongly influence how respondents understand and answer the question. Biased wording can lead to misleading results.

How does a Scientific Poll relate to Question Wording?

A Scientific Poll relates to question wording because scientific polls rely on neutral and precise wording to avoid bias and produce valid results.

Right vs. Privilege

A right is a legal or moral entitlement guaranteed by law or the Constitution, such as freedom of speech or voting. A privilege is a benefit granted by the government that can be restricted or taken away, like a driver's license.

How do Medicare vs. Medicaid relate to Right vs. Privilege?

Medicare vs. Medicaid relates to this because healthcare assistance programs are considered privileges, not rights, meaning the government provides them under certain conditions.

Party Ideology vs. Party Identification

Party ideology refers to a political party's shared beliefs and policy goals (Democrats often support more government involvement, Republicans less). Party identification is the political party a person identifies or aligns with, usually influenced by upbringing or social factors.

How does Political Socialization relate to Party Identification?

Political Socialization relates to party identification because it explains how people attach to a political party through life influences like family, education, and media.

Conservatism

Conservatism is a political ideology that favors limited government involvement in the economy, traditional social values, a strong national defense, and individual responsibility.

How does Laissez-faire Economy relate to Conservatism?

Laissez-faire Economy relates to conservatism because both advocate for minimal government regulation in the economy.

Liberalism

Liberalism is a political ideology that supports a more active government role in the economy, the provision of social services, and the protection of civil liberties and social equality.

How does a Mixed Economy relate to Liberalism?

Mixed Economy relates to liberalism because it includes government regulation and welfare programs to address economic and social inequalities.

Libertarianism

Libertarianism is a political ideology emphasizing individual liberty, minimal government involvement in economic and social issues, and a non-interventionist foreign policy.

How does Laissez-faire Economy relate to Libertarianism?

Laissez-faire Economy relates to libertarianism because both support reducing government regulation of the economy to maximize individual freedom.

Mixed Economy

A mixed economy is one where the private market and the government play essential roles in economic decision-making. The U.S. economy is an example, with free markets and government regulation coexisting.

How do Fiscal vs. Monetary Policy relate to a Mixed Economy?

Fiscal vs. Monetary Policy relates to a mixed economy because both are tools used by the government to regulate the economy within this system.

Laissez-faire Economy

A laissez-faire economy is one in which the government takes a hands-off approach, allowing private businesses to operate with little to no regulation or intervention.

How does Command and Control Economy contrast with Laissez-faire?

Command and Control Economy contrasts with laissez-faire because it represents the opposite approach—maximum government involvement.

Command and Control Economy

A command-and-control economy is an economic system in which the government makes all major financial decisions, controls industries and sets prices and production levels, which is typical of authoritarian regimes.

How does a Mixed Economy relate to Command and Control Economy?

A Mixed Economy relates to command and control because a mixed economy blends elements of both market freedom and government control.

Economic Recession

An economic recession is a period of economic decline typically defined by two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth, leading to job losses and decreased consumer spending.

How does The Unemployment Rate relate to Economic Recession?

The Unemployment Rate relates to recession because high unemployment is a common effect and indicator of a recession.

Unemployment Rate

The unemployment rate is the percentage of the labor force that is jobless and actively seeking work. It's a key indicator of economic health.

How does Inflation relate to the Unemployment Rate?

Inflation relates to the unemployment rate because of the economic concept of the Phillips Curve, which suggests an opposite relationship between the two in the short term.

Inflation

Inflation is the general increase in prices across the economy, which reduces money's purchasing power. Moderate inflation is normal, but high inflation can harm economic stability.

How do Fiscal Policy/Monetary Policy relate to Inflation?

Fiscal Policy/Monetary Policy is related to inflation because both are used by the government to control inflation—fiscal policy by adjusting taxes and spending and monetary policy by managing interest rates and the money supply.

Consumer Price Index (CPI)

The Consumer Price Index measures the average price change consumers pay for goods and services over time, which is used to track inflation.

How does The Federal Reserve System relate to CPI?

The Federal Reserve System relates to CPI because the Fed monitors inflation using the CPI and adjusts monetary policy accordingly to stabilize prices.

Fiscal Policy vs. Monetary Policy

Fiscal policy is how the government uses taxing and spending to influence the economy, usually enacted by Congress and the President. Monetary policy involves controlling the money supply and interest rates, typically handled by the Federal Reserve.

How does The Federal Reserve System relate to Monetary Policy?

The Federal Reserve System relates to monetary policy because the Fed is the central bank responsible for carrying out monetary policy in the U.S.

Federal Reserve System

The Federal Reserve System is the central bank of the United States, which manages monetary policy by controlling the money supply and setting interest rates to promote economic stability.

How does Inflation relate to the Federal Reserve System?

Inflation relates to the Federal Reserve System because one of its main goals is to keep inflation under control through interest rate adjustments.

Medicare vs. Medicaid

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older or with specific disabilities, regardless of income. Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that provides health coverage to low-income individuals and families.

How does Right vs. Privilege relate to Medicare and Medicaid?

Right vs. Privilege relates to Medicare and Medicaid because these programs are considered privileges provided by the government, not constitutional rights.