Unit 4.1-4.3 Flashcards
[4.1] American political culture
The values that influence individuals’ attitudes and beliefs about the relationship between citizens and the federal government.
[4.1] equality of opportunity
The belief that each person should have the same opportunities to advance in society.
[4.1] free enterprise
The belief in the right to compete freely in a market government by supply and demand with limited government involvement.
[4.1] ideology
The belief and ideas that help to shape political opinion and policy.
[4.1] individualism
The principle of valuing individual rights over those of the government, with a strong emphasis on individual initiative and responsibility.
[4.1] limited government
A political system in which there are restrictions placed on the government to protect individual rights and liberties.
[4.1] rule of law
The principle that government is based on a body of law applied equally and fairly to every citizen, not on the whims of those in charge, and that no one is above the law, including the government.
[4.1] Different interpretations (Individualism)
(Desiree vs Yuki) no gov. interference in the economy or social habits vs. gov should not interfere with rights but is allowed when rights are infringed upon.
[4.1] Different interpretations (free enterprise)
Gov. responsibility to regulate market and protect workers vs. leaving market and workers for themselves (bc regulation can harm the economy by limiting productivity and profitability).
[4.1] Tension in policymaking (healthcare)
Gov. sponsored healthcare cause tension for equality of opportunity (everyone access to healthcare regardless of income) and limited gov. (gov. control over citizen’s health gives too much power).
[4.2] demographic characteristics
Socioeconomic characteristics of a population, including age, race, gender, religion, marital status, occupation, education level, and more. These characteristics influence how individuals tend to vote and whether they identify with a political party.
[4.2] globalization
The growth of an interconnected world economy and culture, fueled by lowered trade barriers between nations and advances in communications technology. Globalization has influenced American politics by increasing the extent to which the United States influences, and is influenced by, the values of other countries
[4.2] party identification
An individual’s sense of loyalty to a specific political party
[4.2] political socialization
The process by which a person develops political values and beliefs, including through interactions with family, friends, school, religious and civic groups, and the media
[4.2] Identify Democratic vs. Republican (Gender)
- Women -> Democrat
- Men -> Republican
[4.2] Identify Democratic vs. Republican (Income level)
- Low-income individuals -> Democrat
- High-income individuals -> Republican
[4.2] Identify Democratic vs. Republican (Marital status)
- Single, divorced, or widowed individuals -> Democrat
- Married individuals -> Republican
[4.2] Identify Democratic vs. Republican (Employment)
- Blue-collar workers -> Democrat
- White collar workers, women who work home -> Republican
[4.2] Identify Democratic vs. Republican (Race)
- African Americans and Hispanic Americans -> Democrat
- Whites -> Republican
[4.2] Identify Democratic vs. Republican (Religion)
- Jews, those unaffiliated with a religion -> Democrat
- Protestants, Catholics -> Republican
[4.2] Identify Democratic vs. Republican (Region)
- Northeasterns, Westerns -> Democrat
- Midwesterns, Southerns -> Republican
[4.2] Identify Democratic vs. Republican (Age)
- Younger and older Americans -> Democrat
- Middle-aged Americans -> Republican
[4.2] Identify Democratic vs. Republican (Union membership)
- Union member -> Democrat
- Non-union member -> Republican
[4.2] Identify Democratic vs. Republican (Parental politics)
- Parents strongly aligned with Democratic Party -> Democratic
- Parents strongly aligned with Republican Party -> Republican
[4.3] Generational effects
experiences shared by a group of people who came of age together (generational cohorts, such as baby boomers a=or millennials) that affect their political attributes; wars and economic recessions that hit one generation particularly hard have lasting effects on the political attributes of that generation as its members progress through life (ex. a large proportion of those who came of age during the Great Depression favored New Deal policies and retained their loyalty to the Democratic Party throughout their lifetimes)
[4.3] Lifecycle effects
Changes over the course of an individual’s lifetime, which affect their political attitudes and participation; as individuals develop from young people to adults to senior citizens, their concerns and values change. (ex. The youngest Americans tend to be more liberal but less politically active than older Americans)
[4.3] Period effects
Major events and social trends that affect the political attitudes of the entire population (ex. the terrorist attacks on September 11 and the Watergate scandal had lasting effects on the political attitudes of those who lived through them)
