Unit 4

Question 1

Public Opinion

Answer 1

Public opinion refers to the views, attitudes, and beliefs of the general public on a particular issue or topic. It is shaped by a variety of factors, including personal experiences, social and cultural influences, and media coverage. Public opinion can have a significant impact on policy decisions and political outcomes.

Question 2

Liberal

Answer 2

In the US, “liberal” often refers to people who support progressive or left-leaning policies, such as social welfare programs, environmental protections, and civil rights. They believe in a strong role for government in promoting social justice and equality, and advocate policies that expand individual freedoms and protect civil liberties.

Question 3

Conservative

Answer 3

In the US, “conservative” often refers to people who support traditional or right-leaning policies, such as limited government, free markets, and individual responsibility. They believe in preserving established institutions and values, and advocate policies that promote personal responsibility and self-reliance.

Question 4

Republican

Answer 4

In the United States, the Republican Party is one of the two major political parties. Republicans generally support conservative policies, such as limited government, free markets, and individual responsibility. They also tend to advocate for a strong national defense and traditional values.

Question 5

Democrat

Answer 5

In the United States, the Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties. Democrats generally support progressive policies, such as social welfare programs, environmental protections, and civil rights. They also tend to advocate for a strong role for government in promoting social justice and equality, and protecting individual freedoms and civil liberties.

Question 6

Political Socialization

Answer 6

Political socialization is how people develop their political attitudes, beliefs, and values. It’s influenced by family, education, media, peers, and life experiences, and can shape how people vote and participate in politics.

Question 7

Generational effect

Answer 7

Generational effect is how historical events impact the political attitudes and behavior of different age groups. It can shape how people vote and participate in politics.

Question 8

Life-cycle effect

Answer 8

Life-cycle effect is how people’s political attitudes and behavior change as they age and go through different life stages. It can explain why people’s political attitudes and behavior change over time.

Question 9

Globalization

Answer 9

Globalization is the increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of economies, societies, and cultures around the world. It has both positive and negative effects, and has been facilitated by advances in technology, transportation, and communication.

Question 10

Descriptive Representation

Answer 10

Descriptive representation is the idea that elected officials should reflect the demographic characteristics of the constituents they represent. It means that there should be more women, people of color, and other underrepresented groups in positions of political power.

Question 11

Demographics

Answer 11

Demographics refer to the characteristics of a population, such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, income, education, and occupation.

Question 12

Margin of Error

Answer 12

Margin of error is a statistical measure of the amount of uncertainty in a survey or poll. It represents the range of values within which the true value of a population parameter is likely to fall, given a certain level of confidence.

Question 13

Mass Survey

Answer 13

A mass survey is a research method used to collect data from a large sample of people, often in the form of a questionnaire or survey, to gather information about public opinion, attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and other social phenomena.

Question 14

Selection bias

Answer 14

Selection bias is when the sample of individuals or items selected for a study or survey is not representative of the larger population, which can lead to inaccurate or misleading conclusions.

Question 15

Sampling Error

Answer 15

Sampling error is when the sample of individuals or items selected for a study or survey is too small to accurately represent the larger population, which can lead to inaccurate or misleading conclusions.

Question 16

Sample

Answer 16

A sample is a subset of individuals or items selected from a larger population for study or analysis. Samples are used in research because it is often impractical or impossible to study an entire population.

Question 17

Random sample

Answer 17

Random sampling is a type of sampling method in which each member of a population has an equal chance of being selected for inclusion in the sample.

Question 18

Ideological Polarization

Answer 18

Ideological polarization is the process by which individuals or groups become more ideologically extreme and more divided in their political beliefs over time.

Question 19

Political Efficacy

Answer 19

Political efficacy is an individual’s belief that they can participate in politics and make a difference in the political process.

Question 20

Political Trust

Answer 20

Political trust is an individual’s belief in the legitimacy and effectiveness of political institutions and actors.

Question 21

Method of polling

Answer 21

Polling is a method of collecting data about public opinion by asking a representative sample of individuals a series of questions about their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.

Question 22

Tracking poll

Answer 22

A tracking poll is a type of poll that is conducted over time, usually during a political campaign, to track changes in public opinion using the same questions and methodology on a regular basis.

Question 23

Benchmark poll

Answer 23

A benchmark poll is a type of poll that is conducted at the beginning of a political campaign to establish a baseline of public opinion and to identify the key issues and demographic groups that are most important to the campaign.

Question 24

Entrance/Exit poll

Answer 24

An entrance poll is a type of poll that is conducted before voters cast their ballots to gather information about their characteristics and opinions. An exit poll is a type of poll that is conducted after voters have cast their ballots to gather information about their characteristics and opinions.

Question 25

Question Wording

Answer 25

Question wording refers to the way a question is phrased in a survey or poll. The wording of a question can influence how respondents interpret and answer it, so it’s important to carefully craft questions to ensure they are clear, unbiased, and accurately measure attitudes and opinions.

Question 26

American Core Values

Answer 26

American core values are fundamental beliefs and principles held by most Americans that are considered the foundation of American society. These values include individualism, democracy, freedom, equality, justice, and the rule of law, as well as hard work, education, innovation, and a strong work ethic.

Question 27

Self-Reliance / Individualism

Answer 27

Self-reliance and individualism are American core values that emphasize personal independence and self-sufficiency. They promote innovation, creativity, and personal growth, but can also lead to selfishness and inequality.

Question 28

Equality of Opportunity

Answer 28

Equality of opportunity is an American core value that emphasizes providing all individuals with an equal chance to succeed, regardless of their background. It promotes fairness and social mobility, but can be difficult to achieve due to systemic barriers.

Question 29

Free Enterprise

Answer 29

Free enterprise is an American core value that emphasizes a free market economy where individuals and businesses compete for profit. It promotes entrepreneurship and economic opportunity, but can lead to inequality and negative impacts.

Question 30

Rule of Law

Answer 30

The rule of law is an American core value that emphasizes a legal system in which all individuals are subject to the same laws and treated equally. It promotes stability and accountability, but can be undermined by corruption and political influence.

Question 31

Focus Groups

Answer 31

Focus groups are a research technique used to gather qualitative data about people’s opinions, attitudes, and experiences. They involve a small group of people discussing a specific topic or issue. They are valued because they provide in-depth insights, but can be subject to bias and may not always be representative of the larger population.

Question 32

Keynesian Economics

Answer 32

Keynesian economics is a macroeconomic theory that emphasizes the role of government in stabilizing the economy during times of economic downturn. It suggests that the government should increase spending and cut taxes to stimulate demand and create jobs during times of recession. However, some economists argue that Keynesian economics can lead to inflation and long-term economic instability if not implemented carefully.

Question 33

Supply-Side Economics (Trickle-Down)

Answer 33

Supply-side economics, also known as trickle-down economics, is a macroeconomic theory that emphasizes the importance of reducing taxes on businesses and high-income earners to stimulate investment, innovation, and job creation. However, critics argue that it can lead to income inequality and exacerbate budget deficits.

Question 34

Deficit Spending

Answer 34

Deficit spending is a fiscal policy in which a government spends more money than it receives in revenue. It can be used to stimulate demand and create jobs, but it can lead to an increase in the national debt.

Question 35

The Federal Reserve

Answer 35

The Federal Reserve is the central banking system of the United States. It is responsible for setting monetary policy, regulating banks and other financial institutions, and maintaining the stability of the financial system.

Question 36

Political Parties

Answer 36

Political parties are organizations of people who share similar political views and goals. They seek to win elections and gain political power to implement their policies and achieve their objectives.

Question 37

National Committees

Answer 37

National committees represent political parties at the national level. They oversee the party’s operations and activities, including fundraising, organizing events, and coordinating election campaigns.

Question 38

Ideologies of Republicans

Answer 38

Republicans are generally conservative and support limited government, individual rights, free market capitalism, and a strong national defense. They tend to be socially conservative and opposed to government regulation of the economy, high taxes, and social welfare programs.

Question 39

Ideologies of Democrats

Answer 39

Democrats are generally liberal and support a larger role for government in promoting social welfare and economic equality, as well as protecting civil rights and liberties. They are often in favor of progressive taxation, government regulation of the economy, and social welfare programs. They also tend to be more socially liberal, supporting abortion rights and LGBT rights, and opposing discrimination based on race, gender, or sexual orientation.

Question 40

Libertarians

Answer 40

Libertarians emphasize individual liberty and limited government. They support free market capitalism, individual rights, and a non-interventionist foreign policy. They are opposed to government regulation of the economy, high taxes, and social welfare programs. They also tend to be socially liberal, supporting individual freedom and personal responsibility, and opposing government intervention in personal matters such as drug use, prostitution, and same-sex marriage.

Question 41

Social Safety Net

Answer 41

The social safety net is a collection of government programs that help individuals and families who are struggling financially. These programs include food assistance, housing assistance, healthcare, and unemployment benefits. The goal is to provide a basic level of support to those in need, and to help prevent poverty and homelessness. However, there is often debate about their effectiveness and cost, and some people believe that they create a culture of dependency and discourage people from working.

Question 42

Medicare/Medicaid

Answer 42

Medicare is a government-funded health insurance program for people over 65 and those with certain disabilities or chronic conditions. Medicaid provides health insurance to low-income individuals and families. Both programs provide access to affordable healthcare, but there are debates about their cost and effectiveness.

Question 43

Party Platform

Answer 43

A party platform is a document that outlines a political party’s beliefs, values, and policy positions. It covers many issues and is used to guide the party’s candidates and elected officials. However, not all party members may agree with every aspect of the platform, and it can change over time.