UNIT 4: American Political Ideologies and Beliefs

individualism

The moral, political, and ethical philosophy of life that emphasizes individual rights, effort, and independence.

equality of opportunity

All individuals, regardless of race, gender, or circumstance, have the opportunity to participate in politics, self-government, and the economy.

free enterprise

An economic system in which private business operates in competition and largely free of state control.

rule of law

A principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern.

limited government

A government whose legalized force and power is restricted through delegated and enumerated authorities.

What foundational document(s) most closely align/articulate these core values?

The constitution, the bill of rights, the declaration of independence to an extent

Define political socialization

The process by which we develop our political attitudes, values, and beliefs.

Explain how family influences political attitudes and socialization

You first learn basic attitudes about things in families that shape our opinions about things and in turn our political opinions. Families are the most powerful socializing agent, people tend to belong to the same political party as their parents.

Explain how school influences political attitudes and socialization

Schools in part prepare students to be citizens and active participants in governing their communities and the nation. In schools, students learn and generally develop democratic political values consistent with the US political system.

Explain how peers influence political attitudes and socialization

Peers have the greatest influence on younger people and can reaffirm or bring new opinions to the table that may challenge what has been experienced in families.

Explain how media influences political attitudes and socialization

The media exposes individuals to the values and behavior of others which can challenge and change beliefs or reaffirm them.

Explain how social environments influence political attitudes and socialization

They can shape opinions, both within and outside of the family. They can shape political beliefs through the beliefs of the group and the beliefs one is exposed to there as well as create confidence in dealing with politics.

Give an example of U.S. political culture being influenced by the values of other countries (because of globalization)

Globalization has influenced American politics by increasing the extent to which the United States influences, and is influenced by, the values of other countries.

Define political ideology

A constant pattern of ideas or beliefs about political values and the role of government, including how it should work and how it actually does work.

Identify the two main political ideologies in the United States

Liberalism and conservatism

Describe the impact of major political events on the development of individual political attitudes

A major political event can cause changes in attitudes and opinions due to the reaction of the government and of people to that event.

Define public opinion

The distribution of individual preferences for or evaluations of a given issue, candidate, or institution within a specific population.

Define opinion poll

Surveying a relatively small amount of people that are representative of the population and can therefore accurately represent the opinions of a larger population if the researchers use random sampling.

Define benchmark / tracking polls

A benchmark poll is generally the first poll taken in a campaign and the tracking poll is that same poll conducted multiple times afterwards to measure how things have changed since the benchmark poll.

Define exit polls

Exit polls, when properly administered, interview voters at random as they leave the polls at a randomly selected set of precincts.

Describe the sampling techniques of a scientific poll

Scientific polling uses random sampling controls so that the results from a sample that is drawn is statistically representative of the population.

Describe how the type and format of questions can influence a poll

Questions can measure respondents' factual knowledge, their opinions, the intensity of their opinions, or their views on hypothetical situations. The type of questions asked should be determined by the kind of information desired by the researcher. The way questions are worded and the order in which they are asked can influence respondents' answers.

Explain the quality and credibility of claims based on public opinion data (Relationship between scientific polling and elections/how it affects policy debates)

Elections wouldn't be a scientific poll because those who don't vote typically are in certain groups, making those groups underrepresented in voting and in elections. These groups would then also be underrepresented in policy debates, meaning that they wouldn't have a big voice in matters or a voice at all.

Identify which party's platform generally aligns with the liberal ideological position

Democratic

Identify which party's platform generally aligns with the conservative ideological position

Republican

Explain how ideologies of the two major parties shape policy debates

The democratic party has liberal values and the republican party has conservative values. In political debates, those values are reflected by what each side is arguing for. Democrats will argue for liberal values like better healthcare, higher taxes, marriage equality, and gun control while republicans will argue for conservative values like lower taxes, less governmental influence, restrictions on abortion, and decreasing restrictions on guns.