Unit 4 AP Gov Vocab

  • Free enterprise – An economic system where businesses and individuals operate with minimal government interference, guided by supply and demand and private property rights.

  • Generation X – Americans born roughly between 1965–1980; often seen as independent, pragmatic, and shaped by economic uncertainty and the rise of technology.

  • Globalization – The increasing interconnection of the world’s economies, cultures, and governments through trade, communication, and technology.

  • Ideology – A consistent set of beliefs and values about the proper role of government, society, and individuals in shaping public policy.

  • Individualism – The belief that individuals are responsible for their own well-being and that government’s role should be limited in personal and economic affairs.

  • Lifecycle effects – The way people’s political beliefs and priorities change as they age or experience major life events (e.g., marriage, career, retirement).

  • Limited government – The principle that government power should be restricted by law to protect individual rights and prevent tyranny.

  • Millennials – Americans born roughly between 1981–1996; generally more diverse, socially liberal, and shaped by technology and the Great Recession.

  • Party identification – A person’s enduring loyalty to a political party, which strongly influences voting behavior and opinions.

  • Populist – A person who believes government should represent the “common people” and stand against elites, often favoring economic equality and moral traditionalism.

  • Progressive – A political philosophy supporting reform, government regulation, and social justice to promote fairness and equality.

  • Rule of law – The idea that everyone, including government officials, is subject to the law and that laws should be applied equally and fairly.

  • Saliency – The importance or relevance of a political issue to a specific person or group at a given time.

  • Valence issues – Political issues that most voters agree are desirable goals, such as economic growth or fighting crime.

  • Wedge issues – Divisive political issues that split voters or parties, often used by candidates to attract specific groups (e.g., abortion, gun rights).

  • Focus group – A small, diverse group of people used by campaigns or researchers to discuss opinions and reactions to candidates or issues.

  • Margin of error – The range that expresses the potential inaccuracy of poll results, showing how much results could differ from true public opinion.

  • Push polling – A misleading poll designed to influence voters under the guise of collecting information, often using loaded or biased questions.

  • Random sample – A method of polling where every individual in the population has an equal chance of being selected, ensuring fair representation.

  • Sampling error – The statistical difference between poll results and actual public opinion that occurs due to chance variation in sampling.

  • Stratification – Adjusting polling samples to accurately reflect the population’s demographics (age, race, gender, income, etc.).

  • Tracking polls – Repeated polls conducted over time to measure changes in public opinion during campaigns.

  • Approval rating – A percentage indicating the public’s satisfaction with an official’s performance, often used for presidents.

  • Bandwagon effect – When people adopt popular opinions or support a candidate simply because many others do.

  • Benchmark polls – The first polls conducted at the start of a campaign to measure a candidate’s initial level of support and key issues.

  • Entrance polls – Surveys taken from voters before they cast their ballots, used to predict results and understand voter motivations.

  • Exit polls – Surveys conducted as voters leave polling places to analyze voting behavior and explain election outcomes.

  • Entitlements – Government programs providing benefits to individuals who meet certain eligibility requirements, such as Social Security or Medicare.

  • Federal Reserve – The central bank of the United States that regulates the money supply, sets interest rates, and aims to stabilize the economy.

  • Fiscal Policy – Government decisions on taxation and spending to influence economic growth, inflation, and unemployment.

  • Globalization – (Repeat) The worldwide process of increasing interdependence in economies, communication, and culture.

  • Inflation – A general rise in prices across the economy, decreasing the purchasing power of money.

  • Medicare – A federal health insurance program for Americans aged 65 and older or those with certain disabilities.

  • Medicaid – A joint federal and state health care program that provides coverage for low-income individuals and families.

  • Monetary Policy – The Federal Reserve’s management of the money supply and interest rates to control inflation and stabilize the economy.

  • Affordable Care Act – A 2010 law (Obamacare) that expanded healthcare coverage, created insurance marketplaces, and prohibited denial for preexisting conditions.

  • Progressive tax – A tax system in which higher income earners pay a larger percentage of their income than lower earners.

  • Regressive tax – A tax that takes a larger proportion of income from low-income earners than from high-income earners.

  • Flat tax – A tax system where all individuals pay the same tax rate regardless of income level.

  • Social Welfare – Government programs that provide financial aid or services to people in need to promote well-being and economic security.

  • Supply-side economics – The theory that reducing taxes and regulations encourages businesses to produce more, boosting jobs and overall economic growth.

  • Keynesian economics – The theory that government should use spending and fiscal policy to increase demand and reduce the effects of recessions.