AP Gov Unit 4

Political Ideologies & Parties

• Ideologies: A set of beliefs about politics, policy, and government.

• Conservative: Supports limited government, free markets, and traditional values.

• Liberal: Supports a larger government role in economy, social justice, and progressive change.

• Moderate: A mix of conservative and liberal beliefs, depending on the issue.

• Libertarian: Supports minimal government in both social and economic policies.

• Populist: Appeals to the common people, often advocating for economic reforms.

• Progressive: Focuses on social reforms, workers' rights, and government regulation of businesses.

Public Opinion & Polling

• Public Opinion Polls: Surveys used to measure citizens' views on policies, politicians, and issues.

• Benchmark Polls: Initial polls used to measure support for a candidate before a campaign.

• Tracking Polls: Continuous surveys that follow public opinion changes over time.

• Entrance Polls: Taken before voters cast ballots to predict election outcomes.

• Exit Polls: Taken after voting to analyze voter demographics and predict election results.

• Approval Ratings: Measures public support for a politician or policy.

• Focus Groups: Small group discussions used to gauge voter opinions.

Issues in Politics

• Valence Issues: Issues where most people agree (e.g., national security).

• Wedge Issues: Controversial issues that divide voters (e.g., abortion, gun rights).

• Saliency: The importance of an issue to a particular group of voters.

Generational Politics (Pew Research Dates)

• Silent Generation (1928-45): More conservative, values tradition.

• Baby Boomers (1946-64): Split between liberal and conservative views.

• Generation X (1965-80): Pragmatic, politically independent.

• Millennials/Generation Y (1981-96): More liberal, focused on diversity and technology.

• Zoomers/Generation Z (1997-2012): Progressive, socially liberal, digital-first.

• Generation Alpha (2013-mid-2020s): Still developing politically.

Core American Values

• Political Culture: The shared values, beliefs, and norms that shape political behavior.

• Individualism: Emphasis on personal responsibility and independence.

• Equality of Opportunity: Everyone should have a fair chance to succeed.

• Free Enterprise: A market-driven economy with minimal government interference.

• Rule of Law: Laws apply equally to all citizens.

• Limited Government: Government power should be restricted to protect individual freedoms.

Polling Methods & Sampling Techniques

• Sampling Techniques: Methods to select participants for a poll.

• Representative Sample: A sample that reflects the demographics of the population.

• Universe: The group a poll aims to measure.

• Random Sample: Every person has an equal chance of being selected.

• Random Digit Dialing: A method of randomly calling phone numbers for surveys.

• Weighing: Adjusting poll results to better reflect demographics.

• Stratification: Ensuring the sample matches population characteristics.

• Margin of Error: The range in which poll results may vary (+/- 3% is standard).

• Sampling Error: The difference between poll results and actual public opinion.

Polling Bias & Effects

• Push Polling: Designed to influence voters by presenting biased or misleading questions.

• Bandwagon Effect: People support a candidate just because they are popular.

• Social Desirability Bias: Respondents give answers they think are socially acceptable.

• Bradley Effect: When voters lie about their support for a minority candidate.

• Non-response Bias: When certain groups don’t respond to polls, skewing results.

Economic Policy

• Fiscal Policy: Government policy on taxes and spending.

• Supply-Side Economics: Lower taxes & deregulation to promote growth.

• Sixteenth Amendment: Allowed Congress to impose a federal income tax.

• Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Collects federal taxes.

• Progressive Tax: Higher incomes pay a higher tax percentage.

• Flat Tax: Everyone pays the same tax rate.

Monetary Policy & the Federal Reserve

• Monetary Policy: Government regulation of the money supply and interest rates.

• Inflation: The rise in prices, reducing the value of money.

• Federal Reserve Board: Controls monetary policy.

• Discount Rate: The interest rate the Fed charges banks.

• Reserve Requirement: The percentage of deposits banks must keep on hand.

• Bonds: Government securities used to raise funds.

Trade & Economic Agreements

• Trade Balance: The difference between a country’s imports and exports.

• NAFTA: North American Free Trade Agreement, reducing trade barriers between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Government Spending & Social Programs

• Entitlements: Government programs guaranteeing benefits to certain groups.

• Mandatory Spending: Required government spending on certain programs.

• Social Security: Retirement benefits program.

• Medicare: Healthcare for seniors (65+).

• Medicaid: Healthcare for low-income individuals.