AP Gov - Unit 4 Notes

Free Enterprise

• “Laissez Faire” government approach in the economy; the economy would be naturally regulated by the decisions of consumers and producers. (C)

Individualism

• Places and individual's interests above the group; people pursue their own self-interest with little government interference (C)

Equality of opportunity

• Agrees that government support (through laws and policy)creates a level-playing field for opportunity for ALL people. (L)

Rule of Law

A government that establishes laws that apply equally to ALL, including government leaders; prevents abuses of power. (L)

Silent Generation

Major events as Influence: Great Depression & World War II

Social Issues: More conservative on issues like gay marriage and women’s rights. Strong on religious values

OVERALL:

Patriotic and trusting of government

Baby Boomers

Major events as influence: Vietnam, Civil Rights Movement, and assassinations of JFK, MLK Jr. and more.

Social Issues:

Conservative with family values, but growing support of gender and race equality, and recreational drug-use

OVERALL:

Distrust of Government & champions the underdog.

Generation X

Major events as influence:

Detente and Social Liberalism

Social Issues:

Environmental activism increased, but a general balance existed on gender and race issues.

OVERALL:

Much more individualistic; less ambitious about political issues.

Millenials

Major events as influence:

September 11th attacks & the Great Recession

Social Issues:

Leans much more liberal than previous generations on gender, race, and drugs legalization.

OVERALL:

Interactive with others and independent of expectations.

Types of Polls

Public Opinion Polls:

Gauges attitudes on issues or candidates

Benchmark Polls:

Takes prior to announcing candidacy to measure support.

Tracking Polls:

Measures where people stand heading into an election.

Entrance & Exit:

Conducted on election day to predict outcome.

Approval Ratings

Polls are regularly taken to measure the public’s view of a president’s performance.

One of the most dramatic shifts in public opinion was President George W. Bush’s Approval Ratings:

• Post 9/11 Attack: 90%

• Post Great Recession: 29%

Focus Groups

Gaining insight from people in groups of 10-40 people.

• Allows for more in depth conversations about issues and a candidate

Taking an actual person, getting their response (short)

Media Influence

• Polling determines which candidates get more TV time (Debates, interviews, etc.)

  Bandwagon Effect: A shift in support to a candidate who leads in public opinion polls.

• Polls become more aggressive around Presidential Elections

Polling Reliability

Horse Racing: Predicting election winners based on polling data.

Social Reliability Bias: Voters may not be honest with Pollsters about who they are voting for.

Bradley Effect: Polls show favor with candidates from minority groups, but election results do not always reflect that.

Obstacles

Non-Response Bias: People who don’t trust media won’t participate in a poll.

• Loud voices on Social Media could skew what is percived as public opinion.

• Less credible pollsters do exist; they use biased language and are funded by SIGs & political parties

Libertarian

Characteristics: Generally opposed to government intervention in all matters.

Conservative on: Economic Issues (Against a minimum wage, social welfare, and business regulations.)

Liberal on: Social and moral Issues (Supports LGBTQ rights, pro-choice, gender, and race equality).

Populist

Characteristics: Religious, patriotic, lower-income, mostly rural.

Conservative on: Social & Moral Issues (Against abortion, sexual freedom, immigration, anti-Christian morals).

Liberal on: Economic Issues (Supports workers protections, minimum wage, farm subsides, welfare).

Progressive

Characteristics: Urban residents, they challenge government and big business corruption, environmentalists.

Conservative on: Not much. However, some Progressive factions are very religious (Love-based faith). A little towards socialism.

Liberal on; Economic, social and moral issues (Government should help the poor, disadvantaged, and environment. Supports taxing the wealthy and social equality).

Social Security

• Federal safety-net for the elderly and those unable to work

• Created amid the Great Depression; has become the largest Entitlement Program through a direct tax (FICA).

Views:

• Both Conservatives and liberals realize problems exist; people are living longer making it more difficult to afford the system. No good plan is in place by either group.

HEALTHCARE

Medicare & Medicaid: Health Insurance for seniors and those in poverty. 20% of the federal budget

Affordable Care Act (2010): Government provided insurance for all people. Created due to costs & limitations by private insurance companies.

Views:

• Liberals: Support gov. provided health support & care for all who need it.

• Conservatives: Prefer private health privets; comp would increase, leads to lower costs.

Labor

Liberals: Support Labor unions & regulations of the workplace.

• Historically, Dems created laws (legislation) that support workers and limits power of businesses.

Conservatives: Believe workers would be more productive if profits reflected their earnings; Gov. should be “hands off”

• Policies favor tax-breaks for businesses to promote growth; tends to be anti-union

Governemnt & Privacy

Privacy & Intimacy

Liberals: Support as a 9th amendment right regarding sex (Griswold v. Connecticut 1965