AP Government Unit 4 Flashcards
what do core American political values affect?
-the relationship between citizens and the federal government
-the relationship between citizens and each other
individualism
a social theory favoring freedom of action for individuals over collective or state control.
equality of opportunity
political concept that people should be given equal chance to compete.
free enterprise
an economic system in which private business operates in competition and largely free of state control.
rule of law
all citizens and institutions within a country, state, or community are accountable to the same laws
limited government
the concept where the governments’ power is limited through delegated and enumerated powers.
what is the impact of globalization
globalization leads to interconnected economies and cultures
political socialization
the process by which background traits influence one’s political views.
What factors contribute to the political socialization of individuals?
Generational Effects
Lifecycle Effects (Age stages of life)
Importance of Political Events
Personal experience of events
Lack of connection to events
political ideology
specific views about which policies and programs the government should pursue.
Liberal Ideology
favor more government involvement, more taxes, and stricter market regulations
Conservative Ideology
favor less government involvement, fewer taxes, and fewer market regulations.
better private sector
what are conservative beliefs
conservative = traditional beliefs
what side of the idealogical spectrum is conservatism on
reactionary side (the right)
what side of the idealogical spectrum is liberalism on
radical side (the left)
libertarian idealogy
disfavor govt interaction and instead favor the protection of individual rights, private property, and little regulation of the marketplace
party platform
a political parties official stated beliefs
republican party platform
political platform in favor of a conservative idealogical position, less federal government involvement and action
Democratic Party platform
political platform in favor of a liberal idealogical position, more federal government involvement, and action.
public opinion
refers to how people feel about certain things.
what were the founding fathers views on public opinion
the founding fathers believed that public opinion should play a limited role.
Political culture
What are the USA core values
Individualism
Equality of Opportunity
Free Enterprise
Rule of Law
Limited Government
Trustee Model
elected officials do what they feel is best and vote with conscience.
Delegate Model
elected officials do what the constituents want and only vote as the people would
Politico Model
elected officials vote as the people want with the exception of private unknown issues.
Poll
an assessment of public opinion
Exit poll
a poll conducted after voters have voted
Identification of Respondents
when a poll has to identify the subject and specify the criteria for the subject
Mass Survey
a way to measure public opinion by interviewing a large sample of the population
Focus Groups
a demographically diverse group of people
Type/format of questions
badly formatted questions could lead to inaccurate polling.
Linkage institutions
media, voting, interest groups, and political parties that link citizens with the policy-making process.
Random sample
a process of selecting a sample in a random way.
Sampling error
error in a statistical analysis arising from the unrepresentativeness of the sample taken.
suffrage
the right to vote in political elections
electorate
all the people in a country or area who are entitled to vote in an election.
Keynesian theory
theory that the govt should be more active in managing the economy, and spend more money in recessions.
Supply-side theory
political theory that lower taxes and fewer regulations will stimulate the economy.
Laissez Faire- Capitalism
the concept of keeping gov’t out of business other than protecting
personal property and individual liberties
Liberal ideology about govt involvement in social issues
-More government welfare programs
-More government health care programs
-More govt Affirmative Action programs
Conservative ideology about govt involvement in social issues
conservatives believe in less government involvement in solving social issues.
Libertarian ideology about govt involvement in social issues
-Liberarterians favor little to no govt funded social programs
How are ideologies are reflected in political parties and public policy and laws
liberal party reflects a left idealogy with more govt involvement, more taxes, and stricter market regulations.
Conservative party reflects a right ideology with less govt involvement, fewer taxes, and fewer market regulations.
what are linkage institutions
Institutions that link citizens to the policy-making process in the USA.
what are examples of linkage institutions
media
voting
interest groups
political parties
what does federalist #10 say about the founding fathers views on public opinion?
Federalist #10 says that what people demand from the govt is usually not in their best interest.
What are examples of scientific polling
Polls such as the Gallup poll and the Pew Research poll.
what are scientific polls used by politicians for?
what voters want
what issues to focus on
what to say / wear
trying to win elections
how does public opinion impact policy debate
impacts what policies Americans will support and follow and policies that may get Congress members reelected.
how does public opinion impact an election
impacts who runs in an election, what issues are focused on by candidates, and what issues lead to victory/debate.
monetary policy
a set of actions to control a nations money growth while achieving economic growth
fiscal policy
the use of govt spending and tax policies to influence economic conditions.
Conservative vs liberal views on foreign policy.
Conservatives favor the prioritization of their own countries’ interests over foreign nations
Liberals favor involvement in other countries’ problems, international affairs, and wars.
conservative vs liberal views on social policy
Liberals favor addressing social issues by spending and providing govt services
Conservatives favor the preservation of traditional values over solving social issues.
how does Congress assist in the creation of economic policy
Congress uses taxes to gather funds for public policy and uses spending to solve social + economic issues.
Congress uses the ways + means and appropriation committees to manage the federal budget.
how does the President assist in the creation of economic policy
the president manages discretion over fiscal policy and influences monetary policy.
how does the federal reserve assist in the creation of economic policy
the federal reserve manages the federal system to ensure it supports a strong economy.
