Unit 4 Flashcards
Political socialization
The process – most notably in families and schools – by which we develop our political
attitudes, values, and beliefs.
Scientific Poll
A method of poll selection that gives each person in a group the same chance of being selected.
Opinion Poll
Interviews or surveys with samples of citizens that are used to estimate the feelings and beliefs of the
entire population.
Benchmark (tracking) poll
Researchers ask people the same or similar questions over time to “track” the path of
public opinion.
They are conducted outside of polling places on Election Day to predict the outcome of an
election.
Entrance/exit polls
Error in a statistical analysis arising from the unrepresentativeness of the sample taken (error that
occurs simply because the researchers aren’t asking everyone).
Sampling error
In this type of sample, every individual has unknown and random chance of being selected.
Random Sample
A choice that government makes in response to a political issue. A policy is a course of action taken
with regard to some problem.
Public Policy
A consistent pattern of beliefs about political values and the role of government.
Political Ideology
Liberalism
A belief that government can and should achieve justice and equality of opportunity.
Conservatism
A belief in private property and free enterprise.
Libertarianism
An ideology that cherishes individual liberty and insists on minimal government, promoting a free
market economy, a noninterventionist foreign policy, and an absence of regulation in moral, economic, and social life.
Freedom of private business to organize and operate for profit in a competitive system without
interference by government beyond regulation necessary to protect public interest and keep the national economy in
balance.
Free enterprise
Voting based on what is
perceived to be in the citizen’s individual interest.
Rational-choice voting
Voting based on
predictions of how a party or candidate will perform
in the future.
Prospective issue voting
Voting to decide
whether the party or candidate in power should be
re-elected based on the recent past.
Retrospective issue voting
Supporting a party by voting
for candidates from one political party for all public
offices across the ballot.
Party line voting
Elections in which voters
determine party nominees.
Primary election
Elections in which voters elect
officeholders.
General election
Elections held midway between
presidential elections.
Midterm election
Winner-take-all system
An election system in
which the candidate with the most votes wins.
An electoral district in
which voters choose one representative or official.
Single Member district
Election system in
which each party running receives the proportion of
legislative seats corresponding to its proportion of
the vote.
proportional representation
Elected office that is predictably won by
one party or the other, so the success of the party’s
candidate is almost taken for granted.
safe seat
The boost that candidates may
get in an election because of the popularity of
candidates above them on the ballot, especially the
president.
coattail effect
A meeting of local party members to
choose party officials or candidates for public office
and to decide the platform.
caucus
A national meeting
of delegates elected at primaries, caucuses, or state
conventions who assemble once every four years to
nominate candidates for president and vice
president, ratify the party platform, elect officers,
and adopt rules.
national party convention
Citizens’ faith and trust in government
and their belief that they can understand and
influence political affairs.
efficacy
Belief that one can understand
politics and therefore participate in politics.
Internal efficacy
Beliefs that the government will
respond to one’s demands.
External efficacy
