Chapter 6 + Chapter 16 Definitions Flashcards
demography
The science of population changes.
Census
An “actual enumeration” of the popula-tion, which the Constitution requires that the government conduct every 10 years. The Census is a valuable tool for understanding demographic changes.
Melting pot
A term often used to characterize the United States, with its history of immigration and mixing of cultures, ideas, and peoples.
Political culture
An overall set of values widely shared within a society.
reapportionment
The process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives every 10 years on the basis of the results of the Census.
Exit poll
Public opinion surveys used by major media pollsters to predict electoral winners with speed and precision.
Political ideology
A coherent set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and public purpose, which helps give meaning to political events.
Gender gap
The regular pattern in which women are more likely to support Democratic candidates, in part because they tend to be less conservative than men and more likely to support spending on social services and to oppose higher levels of military spending.
Civil disobedience
A form of political participation based on a conscious decision to break a law believed to be unjust and to suffer the consequences.
Monetary policy
Government influences short term interest rates
Federal reserve system
The main instrument to regulate the lending practices of banks and thus the money supply
Fiscal policy
Use of the federal budget -taxes, spending, and borrowing — to influence the economy, fiscal policy is the main tool by which the government can attempt to steer the economy. Fiscal policy is almost entirely determined by Congress and the president.
Keynesian economic theory
the theory emphasizing that government spending and deficits can help the economy deal with its ups and downs. Proponents of this theory advocate using the power of government to stimulate the economy when it is lagging.
Supply side economics
An economic theory, first applied during the Reagan administration, holding that the key task for fiscal policy is to stimulate the supply of goods, as by cutting tax rates.
Tariffs
Fees for importing goods into the United States from other countries.
Entitlement programs
Government programs providing benefits to qualified individuals regardless of need.
Means tested programs
Government programs providing benefits only to individuals who qualify based on specific needs.
Graying of America
the gradual domination of the total American population by individuals aged 65 years and above.
Mass media
various means of communication that reach large audiences simultaneously, including television, radio, newspapers, and the internet.
Push poll
opinion poll in which the true objective is to sway voters using loaded or manipulative questions.
Paradox of mass politics
the American political system works so well despite the publics lack of knowledge about politics.
Libertarian
The Libertarian Party is a political party in the United States that promotes civil liberties, non-interventionism, laissez-faire capitalism, and limiting the size and scope of government
High tech politics
A politics in which the behavior of citizens and policymakers and the political agenda itself are increasingly shaped by technology.
Watchdog journalism
Watchdog journalists gather information about the actions of people in power and inform the public in order to hold elected officials to account.
Federal communications commission
regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable in all 50 states
No more fairness doctrine
The FCC removed that had the fairness doctrine had two basic elements: It required broadcasters to devote some of their airtime to discussing controversial matters of public interest, and to air contrasting views regarding those matters
Infotainment
discredit woman journalists who were assigned soft news jobs
Outrage discourse
is any type of media or narrative designed to use outrage to provoke strong emotional reactions for the purpose of expanding audiences or increasing engagement.
Selective exposure
a listener may completely disregard or ignore any opinions or beliefs that go against their own personal views
Narrowcasting
the transmission of television programs, especially by cable, to a comparatively localized or specialist audience.
Trial ballon
a tentative measure taken or statement made to see how a new policy will be received
Generation effect
the distinct attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that are shaped by the experiences and events that influence a particular generation
Life cycle effect
the changes in one person’s life as they age, marry, have children, buy a home, or retire
