Unit 5 Glossary Teems

Question 1

What is Social Capital?

Answer 1

Participation in voluntary organizations that reinforce democratic and civic habits of discussion, compromise, and respect for differences.

Question 2

What is Ideology?

Answer 2

A person’s basic beliefs in economics, politics, and religion.

Question 3

What are Natural Rights?

Answer 3

The rights of all people to dignity and worth; also called human rights.

Question 4

What is Democratic Consensus?

Answer 4

Widespread agreement on fundamental principles and values.

Question 5

What is Majority Rule?

Answer 5

Governance according to the expressed preferences of the majority.

Question 6

What is Popular Sovereignty?

Answer 6

A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.

Question 7

What is Capitalism?

Answer 7

An economy characterized by private property, market competition, economic incentives, and limited government involvement in production/pricing of goods/services.

Question 8

What is Political Culture?

Answer 8

Widely shared beliefs, values, and norms in a society.

Question 9

What is the American Dream?

Answer 9

Belief that individual initiative and hard work can be economic success.

Question 10

What do Liberals believe?

Answer 10

In the contemporary world they believe government should promote progress.

Question 11

What do Conservatives believe?

Answer 11

They believe in limited government, order, the market, and personal initiative.

Question 12

What is Environmentalism?

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

What is Socialism?

Answer 13

Those who favor public ownership of production and distribution.

Question 14

What is Libertarianism?

Answer 14

A belief that favors very limited government and great personal freedom.

Question 15

What is Ethnocentrism?

Answer 15

Values and attitudes based on individual experience.

Question 16

What is White Flight?

Answer 16

The white desertion of central cities to the suburbs after World War II.

Question 17

What is Political Socialization?

Answer 17

Values and attitudes that are conveyed to children by their parents.

Question 18

What are Demographics?

Answer 18

Characteristics of the population.

Question 19

What is Political Predisposition?

Answer 19

A characteristic of individuals that is politically predictive.

Question 20

What are Reinforcing Cleavages?

Answer 20

When personal, social, and economic experiences coincide.

Question 21

What are Crosscutting Cleavages?

Answer 21

When personal, cultural, and economic experiences are in conflict.

Question 22

What is Manifest Destiny?

Answer 22

Nineteenth century ideas that the U.S. was destined to rule the continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans.

Question 23

What is Ethnicity?

Answer 23

A group’s background based on nationality or religion.

Question 24

What is the Gender Gap?

Answer 24

The difference that generally exists between men and women on opinions and voting.

Question 25

What is Gross Domestic Product?

Answer 25

An estimate of the total output of all economic activity in the nation, including goods and services.

Question 26

What is Socioeconomic Status?

Answer 26

A division of population based on occupation, income, and education.

Question 27

What is a Post-Industrial Society?

Answer 27

A society (like the United States) that stresses technical ability.

Question 28

What is Social Class?

Answer 28

Divisions of society based on objective data on occupation, income, and education. Also abbreviated as ‘SES.’

Question 29

What is the Salad Bowl Theory?

Answer 29

Idea that differences among groups should not be discouraged.

Question 30

What is the Melting Pot Theory?

Answer 30

Idea that group differences should be assimilated into a relative unity of values.