AP Gov Unit 4 Overview

Core American Values:

  • Rule of Law: No one is above the law.

  • Limited Government: The government only has limited power.

  • Individual Liberty: Freedom to do what we want.

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

  • Free Enterprise: The freedom of individuals to compete in the market.

Political Ideology: A certain set of ideas about what government should do.

Political Socialization: The process through which we form our political ideas, often influenced by our parents.

  • Generational Effects: Different voting patterns emerge across generations.

  • Life Cycle Effect: Focus on different issues at various points in life.

  • Major Political Events: Significant events can have a substantial impact on political beliefs.

Focus Groups: A small group of voters gathered for discussion; while the information is more detailed, it may not be representative of the whole population.

Mass Surveys: Used to measure public opinion, including:

  • Opinion Polls

  • Tracking Polls

  • Benchmark Polls

  • Entrance and Exit Polls: Used to predict the outcome of elections.

Sampling: The sample must be random and stratified by race, gender, education level, and location.

  • Sampling Error: ±3%.

  • Neutral Wording: The wording of questions must be neutral.

Conservative Views: Favor more liberty in economic freedoms, advocating for:

  • Cutting taxes to combat recessions.

  • Less economic regulation.

  • Lower taxes and reduced spending on entitlement programs.

  • A smaller role for the government in social issues and increased responsibility for the state.

  • Emphasis on security and traditional values.

Liberal Views: Support more government regulation of the economy, believing in Keynesian economics, advocating for:

  • Government intervention during economic downturns.

  • Increased economic regulation and higher taxes on higher earners.

  • Greater spending on entitlement programs and a larger federal role in addressing social issues, with a smaller role for states.

  • Prioritizing economic equality over economic freedom.

Libertarian Views: Desire maximum liberty across all areas, emphasizing:

  • Minimal government regulation of the market.

  • Minimal taxes.

  • Reduction in government spending.

  • Limited federal and state government power.

Fiscal Policy: Pertains to political decision-making around government spending and taxation.

Monetary Policy: Conducted by the Federal Reserve, it focuses on managing the money supply and interest rates.