can our government fall apart faster

Ideological Polarization

The effect on public opinion when many citizens move away from moderate positions and toward either end of the political spectrum

Policy Mood

The level of public support for expanding the gov’s role in society; whether the public wants gov action on a specific issue

• Leans liberal or conservative

Public Opinion 

Citizens’ views on politics and government actions

Latent Opinion  

Opinion formed on the spot

When it is needed (distinct from a deeply held opinion that is stable over time)

Mass Survey

Way to measure public opinion by interviewing a large sample of the population

Sample

Group of people within a population surveyed to gauge the whole population’s opinion

Researchers use samples because it would be impossible to interview the entire population

Random Sample

Group chosen to be in a survey through a selection process with equal opportunity for everyone to be chosen

• This type of sampling improves accuracy of public opinion data

Marginal Tax Rate

Tax rate paid on income up to some threshold (ranges of income get dif tax rate)

Mandatory Spending

Expenditures required by law - social security

Discretionary Spending

Expenditures that can be cut from the budget without changing the underlying law

Regressive Taxes

Taxes that take a large share of poor people’s income than wealthy people’s income

• Sales taxes, payroll taxes

Progressive Taxes

Taxes that require upper-income people to pay a higher tax rate than lower-income people, such as income taxes

Budget Making 

Process done by Congress to determine how gov money will be spent/revenue will be raised

Budget Reconciliation

Process of Congressional committees being held to spending targets specified by budget resolution

• During: House + Senate budget committees combine budgetary changes from all legislative committees into an omnibus reconciliation bill for congressional approval

Federal Reserve System

Independent Agency serving as the central bank of the US to bring stability to the nation’s banking system

Treasury Department

Cabinet level agency responsible for managing the fed gov’s revenue

Prints currency, collects taxes, sells gov bonds

Federal Reserve Board

Group of 7 presidential appointees who govern the fed reserve system

Social Policy

Area of public policy related to maintaining/enhancing well-being of ppl

Welfare

Financial/assistance provided to individuals by the gov, usually based on need

New Deal

Set of policies proposed by FDR and enacted by Congress (1933-1935) to promote economic recovery and social wellbeing during Great Depression

Great Society

LBJ, mid 1960s - wide-ranging social agenda aimed to improve America's quality of life through governmental social programs

Ownership Society

George W Bush - term used to describe social policy vision in which citizens take responsibility of their own social welfare and the free market plays a greater role in social policy

• Conservative reversal of hands on, liberal social policy

Policy Agenda

Set of desired policies that political leaders view as their top priorities

Individualism

Each person has the ability to SHAPE THEIR LIFE through CHOICES THEY MAKE

Equality of Opportunity

We value ABSENCE OF DISCRIMINATION based on uncontrollable factors

Free Enterprise

Basically FREE TO PRODUCE/BUY/SELL what we want and we OWN OUR OWN LABOR

Rule of Law

EVERYONE IS SUBJECT TO LAW of the land - no one is above the law

Limited Government

Powers of the gov ARE LIMITED BY THE SOCIAL CONTRACT and listed explicitly in the constitution

Political Socialization

PROCESS in which a person’s POLITICAL OPINIONS are SHAPED by other ppl and the surrounding culture

Political Ideology

Cohesive set of views on politics/role of gov.

Liberal Ideology

Ideology focused on individualism, against traditional values, for intense government involvement, and promoting equality through change 

Conservative Ideology

Ideology focused on traditional ideas/systems, pro-business, limited government, slow change

Libertarian Ideology

Ideology focused on individual liberty above all else, smaller gov as a result

Opinion Polls

Measures public opinion over a various topics

Benchmark Polls

Used PRIOR to a candidate declaring candidacy - sets baseline for opinions on a candidate

Tracking Polls

OVER A PERIOD OF TIME - tracking issues/support for a candidate

Exit Polls

On ELECTION DAY - how did you vote, why did you vote that way?

Fiscal Policy

Gov decisions about how to influence the economy by taxing/spending

Monetary Policy

Gov decisions about how to influence the economy using control of MONEY supply and interest rates

Keynesian (Demand Side) Economics

Theory that gov should use economic policy - like taxing and spending - to maintain stability in the economy

Supply Side Economics 

Theory that lower tax rates will stimulate the economy by encouraging ppl to save, invest, and produce more goods and services

Interest Rates

Cost of borrowing money (interest on loans from banks)