AP COMP GOV Unit 3 Vocab.

Quiz Date Unknown

Citizenship

Legal link between individual and state, granting rights and duties defining membership to community

Political Socialization

Means by which political values are transmitted across individuals and generations

Political Participation

Any action citizens take to influence government decisions or support/oppose policies

Civil Society

Voluntary non-govt. Groups operating to advance shared interests for citizen engagement

Political Culture

Shared set of ingrained beliefs citizens hold about political systems influencing behavior and govt. expectations

Social Cleavages

Deep division within a society based on ethnicity, religion, class, region, etc. separating groups and influencing political behavior

Interest Group

Organized association of individuals/organizations sharing common goals seeking to influence public policy/decisions to benefit interests

Civil Liberties

Fundamental individual freedoms protected by law from unjust government influence

Civil Rights

Governmental guarantees of equal treatment/protection under law preventing discrimination based on race, gender, religion, etc.

Freedom of Expression

Fundamental right to communicate ideas/opinions/beliefs w/o govt. censorship is crucial for democracy.

Freedom of Assembly

Right of individuals to gather peacefully in public/private spaces for collective expression

Freedom of Association

Fundamental right for individuals to join/form groups to collectively promote shared interests

Freedom of Religion

Right to hold, practice, and express any/no belief w/o govt. interference

Rule of Law

Principle that everyone (and govt.) is subject to fairly/equally enforced law (not above the law)

Due Process

Fair treatment under law that every individual is entitled to before any punishments depriving natural rights.

Judicial Independence

Allows judiciary to make decisions impartially (free from influence/pressure from govt./personal interests)

Human Rights

Fundamental entitlements inherent to all individuals regardless of status including rights to life, liberty, expression, and fair treatment

Gender Equality

All genders have equal rights, opportunities, and treatment in social, economic, and political life

Social Welfare Policies

Govt. programs (health, housing, etc.) ensuring basic needs (health, education, income) for citizens, reducing poverty/promote equality

Political Rights

Freedoms allowing citizens to participate in political process (voting, joining parties, etc.)

Economic Rights

Entitlements supporting well-being (healthcare, education, living wage) or freedom from govt. Interference in markets.

Environmental Rights

Fundamental human right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment

Political Participation

Any action citizens take to influence govt., officials, or policies, ranging from voting to boycott, etc.

Voter Turnout

Percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election

Civic Engagement

Individual/collective actions by citizens to address public concerns, improve communities, and influence govt.

Political Mobilization

Process of engaging citizens to participate in politics to achieve specific goals

Social Capital

Networks, norms of reciprocity, and trust within a community that facilitate cooperation for mutual benefit for citizens

Digital Citizenship

Responsible, ethical, and safe use of tech by individuals to engage in civic/political life, comms, and online communities

Media Freedom

Ability of journalists/media to report news/express opinions w/o govt. censorship/interference

Media Bias

Intentional/unintentional slanting of news coverage to favor one particular perspective, ideology, or political group over others

Propaganda

Deliberate spread of info, ideas, and rumors to influence public opinion and advance an agenda (more biased and misleading than rational)

Censorship

Suppression/control of speech, info, and ideas by govt.

Freedom House

Non-profit organization assessing/reporting on global political rights and civil liberties on amt. Of freedom in countries

Transparency International

Global NGO fighting corruption known for its corruption perceptions index ranking countries by corruption level

Individualism

Belief in individual civil liberties/freedom over govt. restrictions

Neoliberalism

Belief in limited govt. Intervention in economy and society, supporting privatization, free trade, deregulation, and elimination of state subsidies

Communism

Belief in abolition of private property with near total govt. control of economy

Socialism

Belief in reduction of income disparities and nationalization of major private industries

Fascism

Extreme nationalist ideology favoring authoritarian rule and rights of ethnic majority over minorities and political opposition

Populism

Political philosophy that supports interests/rights of common people over elites