Copy of UNIT 4 - Party Ideology and Beliefs

UNIT 4 - Party Ideology and Beliefs

Political culture - Shared values, beliefs, and expectations Americans hold about government and citizenship that shape what seems legitimate in politics.

Free enterprise - an economic system based on private ownership, competition, and profit motives with minimal government interference

Individualism - The belief that individuals are responsible for their own well-being and should be able to make their own choices; often supports limited government and/or personal autonomy.

Equality of opportunity - individuals should have the same, unprejudiced chance to succeed and use their talents to reach their full potential

Rule of law - The principle that government and citizens are bound by laws applied consistently; supports constitutional limits and due process.

Political socialization - The process by which people develop political attitudes, values, and beliefs over time through experiences and social influences.

Generational effects - the long-lasting impact of major historical, social, or political events on the political attitudes and behaviors of a specific group that came of age together

Opinion poll - Surveys that estimate what a larger population thinks by questioning a smaller sample.

Exit poll - scientific surveys conducted on Election Day, where pollsters interview voters immediately after they leave selected polling stations to predict election outcomes and analyze voting behavior, such as demographic shifts and key issues, often before official results are tabulated

Tracking poll - to measure changes in public opinion, voter preferences, or candidate support over time, often conducted daily or weekly.

Sampling error - a measure of the accuracy of a public opinion poll, representing the inevitable difference between the sample results and the true population value

Focus group - a small, demographically diverse group of people (typically 10-40) brought together to discuss their opinions on candidates, policies, or political issues, facilitated by a moderator

Public opinion - the distribution of individual preferences, attitudes, and beliefs about political issues, candidates, or institutions within a specific population

Scientific polling - a tool to measure public opinion through structured surveys using statistical techniques to ensure accuracy and representation. It relies on random sampling, representative samples, unbiased phrasing, and low sampling error to reflect the broader population's views, crucial for shaping policy

Democratic Party -advocates for a stronger government role in regulating the economy, supporting social welfare programs (safety nets), protecting civil rights, promoting environmental protection, and ensuring social equality

Liberal - someone who advocates for increased government intervention in the economy to promote equality and social welfare, while supporting less regulation of private social behavior

Republican party - emphasizes limited government intervention in the economy, free-market capitalism, a strong national defense, and traditional social values

Conservative - an individual who advocates for limited government intervention in the economy, lower taxes, a strong national defense, and the preservation of traditional social values. This ideology prioritizes individual responsibility, free-market capitalism, and social stability through established institutions

Libertarian - someone who advocates for minimal government intervention in both economic and personal matters

Supply Side - a conservative fiscal philosophy aimed at driving economic growth by reducing taxes and deregulation, encouraging businesses to increase production and hiring

Keynesian theory - a theory emphasizing that government intervention, specifically through fiscal policy (spending and taxes), is necessary to stabilize the economy, particularly during recessions. It promotes stimulating aggregate demand by increasing government spending and cutting taxes to boost consumer demand and reduce unemployment

Monetary policy - the Federal Reserve’s ("the Fed") management of the money supply and interest rates to influence the economy, control inflation, and stabilize the currency

Fiscal policy - the government's use of taxation and spending to influence the economy, primarily controlled by Congress and the President to manage economic growth, inflation, and unemployment

Federal Reserve - an independent regulatory commission that uses monetary policy (interest rates, reserve requirements, and open market operations) to manage inflation and employment, largely free from direct political interference