Unit 5 Glossary Teems Flashcards
What is Social Capital?
Participation in voluntary organizations that reinforce democratic and civic habits of discussion, compromise, and respect for differences.
What is Ideology?
A person’s basic beliefs in economics, politics, and religion.
What are Natural Rights?
The rights of all people to dignity and worth; also called human rights.
What is Democratic Consensus?
Widespread agreement on fundamental principles and values.
What is Majority Rule?
Governance according to the expressed preferences of the majority.
What is Popular Sovereignty?
A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.
What is Capitalism?
An economy characterized by private property, market competition, economic incentives, and limited government involvement in production/pricing of goods/services.
What is Political Culture?
Widely shared beliefs, values, and norms in a society.
What is the American Dream?
Belief that individual initiative and hard work can be economic success.
What do Liberals believe?
In the contemporary world they believe government should promote progress.
What do Conservatives believe?
They believe in limited government, order, the market, and personal initiative.
What is Environmentalism?
An ideology that is dominated by concern for the environment but also promotes grass-roots democracy, social justice, equal opportunity, nonviolence, respect for diversity, and feminism.
What is Socialism?
Those who favor public ownership of production and distribution.
What is Libertarianism?
A belief that favors very limited government and great personal freedom.
What is Ethnocentrism?
Values and attitudes based on individual experience.
What is White Flight?
The white desertion of central cities to the suburbs after World War II.
What is Political Socialization?
Values and attitudes that are conveyed to children by their parents.
What are Demographics?
Characteristics of the population.
What is Political Predisposition?
A characteristic of individuals that is politically predictive.
What are Reinforcing Cleavages?
When personal, social, and economic experiences coincide.
What are Crosscutting Cleavages?
When personal, cultural, and economic experiences are in conflict.
What is Manifest Destiny?
Nineteenth century ideas that the U.S. was destined to rule the continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans.
What is Ethnicity?
A group’s background based on nationality or religion.
What is the Gender Gap?
The difference that generally exists between men and women on opinions and voting.
What is Gross Domestic Product?
An estimate of the total output of all economic activity in the nation, including goods and services.
What is Socioeconomic Status?
A division of population based on occupation, income, and education.
What is a Post-Industrial Society?
A society (like the United States) that stresses technical ability.
What is Social Class?
Divisions of society based on objective data on occupation, income, and education. Also abbreviated as ‘SES.’
What is the Salad Bowl Theory?
Idea that differences among groups should not be discouraged.
What is the Melting Pot Theory?
Idea that group differences should be assimilated into a relative unity of values.
