Unit 4 AP U.S. Gov Vocab

  1. Core values - include individualism, equal opportunity, free enterprise, and rule of law

  2. Individualism - each person has the ability to shape their life and destiny through the choices they make

  3. Equal opportunity - all people are given an equal chance to compete

  4. Free enterprise - the market determines prices, products, and services

  5. Rule of law - every person, even those in power, must follow and is accountable to the same laws that govern all

  6. Political socialization - the process by which individuals develop political beliefs, values, opinions, and behaviors ; family, schools, peers, media, and social environments (including civic and religious organizations) contribute to the development of an individual’s political attitudes and values

  7. United States political culture - its democratic ideals, principles, and core values

  8. Globalization - process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide ; U.S. political culture has both influenced and been influenced by the values of other countries

  9. Political ideology - a set of political ideas and beliefs on how society should function in achieving and prioritizing goals and methods ; influenced by generational effects and life cycle effects, political events, political socialization

  10. Generational effects - experiences shared by people of a common age

  11. Life cycle effects - experiences a person encounters during different life stages

  12. Scientific poll - a human research survey of public opinion using statistical information to randomly select representative respondents and obtain timely results through unbiased questioning

  13. Opinion poll - measuring public opinion on various issues

  14. Benchmark poll - creating baseline views of a candidate

  15. Tracking poll - following how views of a candidate change during a campaign

  16. Exit poll - collecting data on why people voted the way they did

  17. Polling methodology - more precise when it includes: i. Accurate sampling methods, including calculating a margin of error ii. Neutral framing of questions (specific and unbiased wording of questions) iii. Accurate reporting (clear reporting and conclusions that can be supported by the data)

  18. Public opinion - collective opinion on a topic or issue or voting intention relevant to society

  19. Democratic Party - a major political party that generally aligns more closely to liberal ideological positions ; D or DEM

  20. Liberalism - favor more governmental regulation of the marketplace ;  generally favor more national government involvement to address some social issues such as education and public health, with less responsibility for these issues left to state governments

  21. Republican Party - a major political party that generally aligns more closely to conservative ideological positions ; R or GOP

  22. Conservatism - favor fewer regulations in the marketplace ; generally favor less national government involvement to address some social issues such as education and public health, with more responsibility for these issues left to state governments

  23. Libertarianism - favor little or no regulation of the marketplace beyond the protection of property rights and voluntary trade ; generally favor little national or state government involvement except when national or state government is protecting private property or individual liberty

  24. Fiscal policy - consists of actions taken by Congress and the president to influence economic conditions and includes Keynesian and supply-side positions

  25. Keynesian theory - a macroeconomic theory based on how aggregate demand influences economic output and inflation ; effects of aggregative demand on markets can be mitigated by fiscal and monetary policies to stabilize the economy

  26. Supply-side theory - a macroeconomic theory focused on increasing aggregate supply ; fostered by lowering taxes, deregulation, and free trade

  27. Monetary policy -  consists of actions taken by the Federal Reserve (the Fed) to influence interest rates which affect broader economic conditions

  28. Federal Reserve - an independent agency which seeks to achieve maximum employment and price stability