AP GOV MONSTER VOCAB UNIT 1

  1. Liberal - ideologically supports a stronger government programs and market regulation. 

  2. Conservative - ideologically supports lower taxes, less government, and a free market.

  3. Political socialization- The process by which an individual develops his and her political beliefs.

  4. Demographics - The statistical characteristics of a population. 

  5. Political culture - The shared political values of a society.

  6. Party polarization - When political parties move farther away from each other ideologically and also move farther from the center.

  7. Gender Gap - The tendency of men to support the Republican party at greater rates than women.

  8. Political efficacy - An individual’s belief that his or her political participation can make a difference.

  9. Dealignment - When voters no longer identify with one of the two major parties and become independent voters.

  10. Realignment - The process through which voters leave one party coalition and join the other party’s coalition.

  11. Divided government - When the President is from one political party and one or both houses of Congress are controlled by the opposing party.

  12. Random sample - A subsection of a population chosen to participate in a survey in which every member of the whole population has an equal chance of being chosen.

  13. Intensity - How strongly a person feels about a political issue.

  14. Salience - The extent to which people believe political issues are relevant to them.

  15. Life Cycle Effects - the impact of a person’s age and stage in life on his or her political views.

  16. Generational effects - the impact of historical events experienced by a generation upon their political views.