Unit 4 Test Review Guide: Political Ideologies and Beliefs

Unit 4: Political Ideologies and Beliefs, Chapters 12-14

Chapter 12: Citizens' Beliefs and Political Ideology

  • Conservative attitudes about government

    • Emphasis on limited government involvement in the economy

    • Preference for individual liberties and free-market principles

  • Liberal attitudes about government

    • Advocacy for more government intervention to address social issues

    • Support for social justice and equality initiatives

  • Political Socialization

    • The process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs and values

    • Influences include family, schools, media, and major life events

  • Individualism

    • The belief in the moral worth of the individual

    • Emphasizes personal autonomy and self-reliance

  • Equality of Opportunity

    • The idea that all individuals should have equal chances to succeed

    • Underpins many social policies aimed at reducing inequality

  • Free Enterprise - 6x

    • Refers to an economic system with minimal government regulation

    • Focus on lowering corporate taxes to stimulate economic growth

  • Rule of Law

    • Principle that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law

    • Ensures fairness and justice in governance

  • Limited Government

    • Concept that governmental power should be restricted to protect individual freedoms

    • Basis for many conservative beliefs regarding the role of government

  • What determines political values?

    • Various factors including culture, education, religion, and socioeconomic status

  • Millennial and Baby Boomer political beliefs

    • Millennials tend to lean more liberal, favoring social issues and inclusivity

    • Baby boomers often hold more conservative views, valuing traditional norms

Chapter 13: Public Opinion

  • Public Opinion Polls

    • Surveys used to gauge the opinions of a population regarding various issues

  • What makes a scientific poll?

    • Random sampling, proper question wording, and a sufficiently large sample size

  • Benchmark Polls

    • Polls conducted at the beginning of a campaign to gauge initial support for candidates

  • Tracking Polls

    • Ongoing surveys that track changes in public opinion over time

  • Exit Polls

    • Polls conducted as voters leave polling places to predict electoral outcomes

  • Presidential Approval Rating

    • Measurement of the public's approval of the president's job performance

  • "Honeymoon Period"

    • The initial phase of a new presidency where approval ratings tend to be higher

  • Social Desirability Bias

    • Tendency of respondents to answer questions in a manner they believe will be viewed favorably

  • Bradley Effect

    • Phenomenon where candidates fare better in polls than in actual elections due to social desirability bias

  • Undecided Voters

    • Voters who are not committed to a particular candidate or party at a given time

  • How are the 3 branches influenced by public opinion?

    • Legislative branch may pass laws reflecting public sentiment

    • Executive branch may adjust policies to align with public views

    • Judicial branch may consider public attitudes in some rulings, impacting constitutional interpretations

Chapter 14: Political Ideologies and Public Policy

  • Valence Issues

    • Issues that are universally accepted as beneficial or desirable (e.g., economic growth, education)

  • Wedge Issues

    • Controversial issues that create division between groups (e.g., abortion, immigration policy)

  • Libertarian Beliefs

    • Advocacy of civil liberties, minimal government interference in personal lives, and free markets

  • Populist Beliefs

    • Emphasis on representing the common people against the elite establishment

  • Progressive Beliefs

    • Focus on social reforms, environmental protection, and economic equality

  • Party Convention

    • A gathering of party members to select candidates, adopt party platforms, and unify supporters

  • Party Platform

    • A formal set of principal goals supported by a political party or candidate

  • Who has the most influence on party platforms?

    • Party leaders, interest groups, and the base of the party can significantly shape platforms

  • Compare and Contrast modern Democratic and Republican Platforms

    • Democrats typically focus on social equity, environmental issues, and healthcare access

    • Republicans emphasize tax cuts, limited government, and traditional values

  • Keynesian Economics

    • Economic theory advocating for government intervention to manage economic cycles

    • Example: Government spending increases during economic downturns to stimulate growth

  • Supply Side Economics

    • Economic theory suggesting benefits for the wealthy will trickle down to others

    • Example: Tax cuts for corporations intended to spur investment and job creation

  • Article 1 and Taxation

    • Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power to levy taxes

  • 16th Amendment

    • Constitutional amendment allowing federal income tax

  • Monetary Policy

    • Management of the money supply and interest rates by the Federal Reserve

  • Federal Reserve

    • Central bank of the United States responsible for implementing monetary policy

  • Discount Rate

    • The interest rate charged to commercial banks for loans from the Federal Reserve

  • Disagreements about Trade

    • Differences in economic policy approaches regarding international commerce

    • Example: Trade agreements like NAFTA have been subjects of bipartisan debate

  • NAFTA

    • North American Free Trade Agreement, a treaty between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to eliminate trade barriers

  • Disagreements about Entitlements

    • Ongoing debates over social welfare programs and government spending priorities

    • Significant programs under debate include Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid

  • Social Security

    • A government program that provides monetary assistance to individuals who are retired or disabled

  • Medicare and Medicaid

    • Medicare: Health insurance program for individuals aged 65 and over

    • Medicaid: Joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs for some people with limited income