U.S. Government and Politics Chapter 10 terms

This end of the political spectrum supports a smaller government with a limited role. They advocate for things like lower welfare and government aid and harsher punishments for criminals. They want less government regulations of the economy and lower taxes on business. They advocate for less federal power and more local decisions. They have Christian values, moral absolutism, and traditional family values. They want less flexibility in the interpretation of the constitution.

This end of the political spectrum advocate for welfare and more government aid. They want more leniency on punishments, more government regulation of the economy in favor of fairness and safety. THey want the government to step in to defend against economic inequality, and lower unemployment. They favor a larger government role at the federal level.

The set of attitudes that shape political behavior. Cornerstones of political culture are individualism, equality of opportunity, free enterprise, rule of law, and limited government. Americans have strongly held political views that forge our political culture.

A belief in the fundamental worth and importance of the individual. Inalienable individual rights. Value that encourages people to pursue their own best interest. Bill of rights reflects this.

Equal rights to life liberty and happiness. The 14th Amendment means equal protection of all citizens and everyone is viewed as equal in the eyes of the law. During the Progressive Era Fair opportunities fit into this category. This principle also states that you can't discriminate based on race or sex. This means that equal opportunities and not necessarily outcomes should be presented to all citizens.

The key principle of laissez-faire free market and capitalism. Ideas stem from Adam Smith and his book wealth of nations. The principle that the government should leave the economy alone as much as possible and invisible hand of supply and demand will regulate the economy today free enterprise is still the ideal but increase government regulation to guarantee economic success is also in place.

The principle of a government that establishes laws that apply equally to all members of society and prevents the rule and whims of leaders who see themselves above the law. No one is above the law or the Constitution therefore this principle ensures stability and certainty.

A government kept under control by the law and by checks and balances and separation of powers. The Constitution and Bill of Rights limit what the government can and can't do. A limited government is key to civil liberties. Republicans and conservatives tend to be more in favor of a limited government while Democrats want more liberal action for greater good.

A comprehensive and mutually consistent set of ideas. Ideologies often divide people into different groups but can also overlap.

Concerns or policies that are viewed the same way by people with a variety of ideologies. Examples include public education should be provided for and the freedom of speech is vital.

Concerns for policies that sharply divide the public. Examples include abortion or the invasion of Iraq. Wedge issues tend to be more polarizing and have high saliancy

This word is the same as importance. An issue with high saliency something very important to an individual or group

Liberals are more open to allow the government flexibility to expand Beyond established constraints. The government can act in a more liberal way less constrained by tradition or limitations that guided earlier governments. It's important to know that in this modern political era Democrats tend to be more liberal.

Conservatives Believe In following tradition and having reverence for authority. Modern day conservatives argue that the government should do less and allow people more freedom. Less economic regulation and more responsibility on citizens. Fiscal conservatism means lower taxation and less government spending on discretionary spending.

Americans that fall between the conservative and liberal sides of the spectrum. Many have some conservative and some liberal beliefs and are less radical in their views.

Libertarians generally oppose government intervention and regulation. They have high regard for civil liberties. They oppose censorship want lower taxes and dislike government imposed morality. They tend to be conservative on fiscal issues and liberal on social and moral issues. For example they are against the Federal Reserve board regulating monetary policy as it is too much government regulation and don't believe in high taxes as they believe the government cannot coerce the people to do anything.

Populists tend to be Protestants found in the South and midwest. They tend to come from working class families and follow fundamental Christian ideas. They follow a strict moral code. They advocate for workers' rights and increase taxes paid by the rich.

This party peeked in the 1900s by challenging government corruption. They criticized traditional establishments that concentrated too much power in one place such as the government or business. Today progressives aligned with labor unions.

The process by which individuals acquire political beliefs. What influences are factors cause people to think about politics and policies a certain way. Examples of these influences include family peers media and education.

Events that events that are often discussed within the home that are currently happening and may have an impact on the family. This is part of the reason why family is such a large influence as a political opinions of parents are often passed down to their children

Which party you identify with or vote for primarily for example children often have consistent or similar party identification as their parents until they're older and reject or misperceived their parents party identification they may be politically independent and not identify with either party.

Teachers and peer groups within these establishments have a large impact on students' beliefs especially in college and higher education where there is a more free flow of ideas in the classroom discussion students are exposed to new ideas and revolutionary theories outside what they hear within their homes.

Groups and other people around your age can also have an effect on the development of your political ideas. Exposure to people your age of different race and ethnic Heritage play a large role in determining one's outlook on the world and how one votes. New citizens or voters with cultural ties may think through the lens of their culture and affects the views of their peers

Young people are exposed to a great deal of political information and opinions through their exposure to Media. Engaging with political content helps them to form their political identity. Media is also influential because of news, articles, or shows that depict politics or politicians in certain ways.

Churches and other places of worship influence individuals political thoughts. Churches are more ideological and display a coherent philosophy. Examples include that evangelicals and fundamentalists tend to vote and identify with the Republican Party while Catholics and Jews tend to have a Democratic Party identification.

These institutions make up Civil Society the non-governmental non-business voluntary sector of social life. Examples include Girl Scouts volunteer programs and 4-H. They influence political socialization and can both reinforce beliefs or challenge people to accept diversity.

Geographic location plays a key role in the way people think or approach certain issues. Groups from the Northeast and West Coast tend to have more democratic and liberal values. In the South or rural Midwest people tend to have more Christian and conservative values.

Political events equal influence as they can shape how people view the government and certain parties during times like the Great Depression and Vietnam War were certain government decisions had a large impact on people's lives and political views.

The process of an ever-expanding and increasingly interactive world economy. It affects political culture as values of other countries influence our politics and as US influence spreads to other countries as well.

The U.S.A is the dominant economic power affecting globalization. U.S. businesses and products are spread throughout the whole world. Our products and shows reflect American values like individualism and equality of opportunity. US influence can also be democratizing. Some countries welcome this influence While others reject it.

Through globalization and immigration the US is influenced by values from other parts of the world increasing our diversity.

A new political culture in which people think Beyond National borders for their identity. The global reach of news can also Foster a sense of global citizenship and Global Unity on issues like global warming.

This generation was born from 1982 to 2000. They are under the age of 35 and tend to be more accepting of interracial and same sex marriages, legalization of marijuana, Second Chances in capital punishment, and are more diverse. They tend to be more democratic and liberal than previous generations. For foreign policy they're more willing to promote cooperation over force. 9/11 shapes their political views and they tend to want to stay out of foreign affairs. Economy they tend to be more business-friendly but some regulation on environmental concerns they tend to be at Tech centered and more educated. Overall key takeaway is there more liberal than previous generations

The generation born between 1962 and 1982. 20% conservative, tend to be more moderate.

Born between 1946 and 1964. They lived during an era of economic Prosperity after World War II and in the turbulent 1960s. They are more conservative than younger generations.

Those born before 1945. Their senior citizens. They were born during the Great Depression and in the aftermath of World War I. They were born during a period of American Prosperity patriotism and Christian Judeo moral code. Their religious values opposed cultural changes in the 60s and 70s. They tend to be the most reliable voters. And they have more conservative values.

The variety of physical social and psychological changes that people go through as they age. It affects political socialization as it shifts focus on important issues. For example people may have different ideas at College family and retirement ages.

A powerful interest group that represents the desires and values of over 40 million senior citizens and focuses on issues like social security health issues Medicare retirement and consumer protection.

First type of poll used in an election often before a potential candidate has declared his or her intentions. They are used to gather general information about people's views or concerns. They are surveys conducted to establish a baseline measurement of public opinion or sentiment on a particular issue, candidate, or topic..

These polls ask a similar question over time to track the path of public opinion over time. They are used during election season to see how the public opinion changes or to assess candidates strength candidates also use these polls to shape their campaign.

These polls take place outside a pulling or voting place before citizens vote. This is done to predict the outcome of the election, to gain insight into thoughts or behaviors of voters, or to identify and analyze how voting demographics actually voted.

These polls take place outside a voting location after citizens vote. This is done to predict the outcome of the election before results are officially released, gain insight into the thoughts and behaviors of voters, or identify how voting demographics actually voted.

A somewhat reliable way to assess the Public's political opinions.

Small groups of citizens made up of about 10 to 40 people who are gathered to hold conversations about issues or candidates. It tends to be less scientific but they offer deeper insight into topics.

This serves as a relative measure of Citizen support for parties or candidates or even the current president. Polls often gauge approval ratings by asking whether they're respondent approves of the president's job performance. It’s typical trend is that approval ratings for the president decrease over the term. They are also High during times of economic prosperity

Pollsters phrase survey questions so that results are not skewed. Wording should be objective and not emotionally charged. The question shouldn't be distorted or biased because it can bring different results.

Question order can also have an effect on results. For example, those who were asked first about direction of country responded differently than those who were asked about the president’s performance first.

How a question is framed can also affect responses. Framing means posing a question in a way that emphasizes a certain perspective.

A group of people meant to represent the large group in question. To be accurate it should have about 1,500 people.

The large group represented by the representative sample. This can be all U.S. adults or the population of a single state.

A sample in which every single member of the universe has an equal chance of selection into the sample. Still it is hard to be completely random because posters can be biased in who they approach and some people have unlisted phone numbers.

When a computer randomly calls possible phone numbers in a given area until enough people respond to establish a representative sample. This makes telephone polling more reliable and efficient.

When pollsters add or remove respondents of certain demographics to make it more proportional and representative of the universe.

Manipulating the sample to compensate for disproportional demographics to ensure that all demographics are proportionately represented. (same as weighing)

The amount the data is off, amount of sampling error. A good margin of error is +/- 4%.

Even accurate polls/surveys can’t guarantee absolute precision. The difference between poll results and what actually occurs. *Same as margin of error.

A telephone call which is a poll with an ulterior motive. The caller/recording offers positive points on the candidate and negatives about the opponent. It pushes interviewees to vote a certain way.

Horse race polls are polls that try to decide the presidential election winner. They are called this because they aren’t certain as even a small margin of error can lead to inaccurate results. The downside of horse race journalism is that it doesn't focus on the qualities or positions of the candidate just their position in the race.

Polling and public opinion has an influence on the election as sometimes the most popular/most voted for in polls candidate gets news and media coverage and also have more access to things like debates.

Many people will switch their political alignment to the candidate who has the lead in poll stats or is the most endorsed. Most popular=increasing support.

3 branches respond to polling results to gain public support/ to be reelected. House reps. especially respond to poll results because they are reelected every two years. Senators not as much. President has the honeymoon state where they shift policy to appeal to public opinion. Supreme court will tend to follow the nation’s political mood but they have life terms so they don’t have to worry about reelection.

Respondents and declared voters may tell the pollster what they think they want to hear because the respondents want to seem like good people

Undecided voters make up their mind or change their mind on issues after they are polled but before voting so results are inaccurate

When anti-establishment, anti-media voters who vote largely for certain candidates avoid pollsters their data and responses aren't considered therefore skewing the results.

Pollsters can see a lot about public opinion by analyzing people's posts on social media. They can pick up opinions and behaviors people give passively but views of those on social media is different from those who are active on it. Gathering data from social media is not very accurate.

Reputable pollsters Avoid bias but many polls are funded by special interest groups who want poll results to tip a certain way to move their agenda forward.

This group helps journalists and those looking at the results of the polls to see how reliable the polls are and their veracity