Unit 4 Vocab

Individualism

The belief that people shape their own destiny through personal choices, prioritizing civil liberties over government control.

Equality of Opportunity

The core value that all individuals should have an equal chance to compete and succeed.

Free Enterprise

An economic system where market forces determine prices and products with minimal government intervention.

Rule of Law

The principle that every person, including government leaders, is subject to the same set of laws.

Political Ideology

A coherent set of values and beliefs about politics, public policy, and government roles.

Libertarianism

An ideology advocating maximum personal liberty and minimal government intervention in economic and social affairs.

Neoliberalism

A belief system emphasizing free trade, deregulation, privatization, and minimal state market intervention.

Socialism

An ideology favoring government intervention to reduce economic disparities, provide social safety nets, and manage key industries.

Communism

An economic and political system marked by government control of the economy and the abolition of private property.

Fascism

An authoritarian ideology centered on extreme nationalism, suppression of opposition, and dominance of the ethnic majority.

Populism

A political approach claiming to represent the rights and interests of ordinary people against elite establishments.

Political Socialization

The ongoing process through which individuals acquire their political beliefs and attitudes.

Socialization Agents

Institutions that shape political views, including family, schools, peers, media, and religious groups.

Generational Effects

The impact of shared historical events on the political views of a specific age cohort.

Lifecycle Effects

Shifts in political priorities that naturally occur as an individual ages through different life stages.

Gender Gap

The persistent difference in political attitudes and voting choices between men and women.

Political Polarization

The widening ideological division between opposing political parties and groups.

Public Opinion

The collective attitudes and beliefs held by the public regarding political and policy issues.

Random Sampling

A polling method where every individual in a target population has an equal chance of selection.

Representative Sample

A survey group whose demographic composition reflects the larger population being studied.

Sampling Error (Margin of Error)

A statistical measure of the expected polling variation from actual population views, typically ±3%.

Opinion Poll

A survey used to measure public attitudes on specific candidates or issues at a given moment.

Benchmark Poll

An initial survey taken early in a campaign to establish a baseline of voter awareness.

Tracking Poll

Continuous polling conducted over time to monitor shifting voter opinions during a campaign.

Exit Poll

A survey taken immediately after voters leave polling places to analyze voting choices and demographics.

Policy Agenda

The collection of key issues and problems receiving active attention from public officials.

Invisible Hand

Adam Smith's concept that self-interested individuals in a free market unintentionally drive economic prosperity.

Keynesian Economics

An economic theory holding that government spending and demand management stabilize the economy.

Supply-Side Economics

An economic theory arguing that tax cuts and deregulation boost growth by increasing business production.

Fiscal Policy

Government policy regarding taxation and public spending managed by Congress and the President.

Monetary Policy

Government management of the money supply and interest rates, directed by the Federal Reserve.