Unit 4

the set of attitudes that shape political behavior

capital punishment

a belief in the fundamental worth and importance of an individual

equal rights of the people to pursue life, liberty, and happiness

“let it be”

usually want less regulations on businesses

think the government regulation of business is important for fairness and safety, gives the government flexibility

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 as above the law

public records of government spending, regular auditing of the purse, independent law enforcements, a free press, whistleblower protections, and public opinion

government kept under control by law and by checks and balances and the separation of powers

the process by which you develop political beliefs

the most significant influence on political socialization

family, school, peers, media, religious and civic institutions, and geography

the process of an ever expanding and increasingly interactive world economy

American film, media, television, and commercials reflect American values that are streamed in foreign countries, making the citizens of those countries want to be similar or different (spreading democracy or 9/11 attacks)

immigrants who go to the US bring their own political beliefs and increase the cultural diversity, aka “collectivistic” ideas (collaboration)

• liberal

• civil rights

• women’s rights

• rights of the accused

• greater regulations to protect environment

• more government services to solve public problems

• conservative

• only necessary spending

• limited business regulation

• maintain cultural traditions

a consistent set of ideas

thought about similarly by people with different ideologies

used by political groups to gather support because these sharply divide the public

intense importance, usually of divisive issues

• oppose government intervention or regulation

• have a high regard for civil liberties

• oppose censorship

• want lower taxes

• dislike government-imposed morality

• protestant

• Christian

• strict moral code

• workplace safety precautions

• farm subsidies

• blue-collar workers

• factory workers

• men without college degrees

• aligned with labor unions

• challenge institutions with too much power in one place

• workers’ rights > corporates’ rights

• tax the rich

Most of political beliefs are developed between ages 14 and 24

Voter turnout increases with ___

Helped voters want more support for public works

Helped voters want more support for war efforts

Helped voters with protests/activism

Helped in the rise of patriotism and support for “War of Terror”

Distribution of a population’s beliefs about politics and policy issues measured with polls

• Prevalence of cell phones supposed to landlines

• Wording can be misleading

  • Must no objective

  • Not emotionally charged

  • Question order can impact results

Poll phrasing that asks the question: “Do you approve or disapprove?”

Poll phrasing that asks you to rate a statement on a scale from “Strongly Approve” to “Strongly Disapprove”

1. Opinion

   a. a certain issue

2. Benchmark/Tracking

   a. over time

3. Entrance & Exit

   a. right before and after voting

• Helps a candidate know what matters to people

• Tool for democracy

• Allows for immediate response of lawmakers

• Politicians become followers instead of leaders

• Bandwagon effect

• Exit polls lower voter turnout

• Not always reliable or understood

If you believe you change the outcome, you usually participate/vote (and vice versa)

a shift of support to a candidate or position that holds the leading public in the polls (the more support they have, the more people who join in supporting them) (a direct relationship between a candidate’s rank in polls and their ability to raise campaign funds)

the tendency for respondents and declared voters to tell pollsters what they think the pollsters want to hear

recent African American candidates have underperformed against their poll predictions because nobody wants to seem racist in the polls

a full look into the efforts and sacrifice that come with a new policy compared to the benefits the new policy would bring

except for partisan identification, there are no greater determiners on election day than a voter’s view of the __________

part of economic policy that is concerned with government spending and taxation

• Keynesian economics (liberal)

• Supply-side theory (conservative)

the nickname for taxes on things such as cigarettes or gambling

• if left to own devices, market won’t operate to its full potential

• gov should create the right level of demand

• when demand is low, gov should put money into economy

  • reducing taxes and spending more

• when demand is high, gov should take money out of economy

  • taxing wealthy and spending less

• gov should leave as much of the money supply as possible with the people

• let the law of economics govern the market

  • supply and demand

• laissez-faire/free market theory

• less taxing

1. People will have more money and spend it

2. Spending increases jobs and manufacturing

3. Government receives sale taxes

one’s tax rate increases, or progresses, as one’s income increases (our national income tax)

taxes citizens at the same rate (conservative belief)

how the government manages the supply and demand of its currency and thus the value of the dollar

the interest rate at which the government loans actual dollars to commercial banks, set by the Federal Reserve Board

how much cash commercial banks must keep in their vaults, set by the Federal Reserve Board

a nation that exports more than it imports has a favorable _______ ___________

a nation that imports more than it exports has a ______ ______

lifted trade barriers among the three largest North American countries: United States, Canada, Mexico

support for disadvantaged people to meet their basic needs (ex: New Deal programs)

health insurance programs for citizens over 65

health care program for the impoverished who cannot afford necessary medical expenses

true/false: candidates don’t prefer to assure supporters of a likely victory prior to the election based on polls because doing so could lower turnout

a poll that tries to mislead or bias the listener against an opposing candidate or political party