Unit 2: American Political Ideologies and Beliefs

Question 1

American Core Values (5)

Answer 1

Individualism, Equality of Opportunity, Free Enterprise, Rule of Law, Limited Government

Question 2

Political Culture

Answer 2

the dominant set of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that define the relationship between citizens and government

Question 3

Individualism

Answer 3

the belief that individuals should be responsible for themselves and for the decisions they make

Question 4

Equality of Opportunity

Answer 4

everyone should have the chance to succeed based on their effort

Question 5

Free Enterprise (Laissez-Faire)

Answer 5

an economic system in which government intrudes as little as possible in the economic transactions among citizens and businesses

Question 6

Rule of Law

Answer 6

the principle that no one, including public officials, is above the law

Question 7

Limited Government

Answer 7

human beings have inherent rights that the government cant take away

Question 8

Political Socialization

Answer 8

the experience and factors that shape an individual’s political values, attitudes, and behaviors

Question 9

Political Ideology

Answer 9

an individual’s coherent set of beliefs about government and politics

Question 10

Generational Effect

Answer 10

the impact of historical events experienced by a generation upon their political views

Question 11

Life-Cycle Effect

Answer 11

the impact of a person’s age and stage in life on his or her political views

Question 12

Globalization

Answer 12

the increasing interconnectedness of people, businesses, and countries around the world

Question 13

Outsourcing

Answer 13

occurs when a company moves its businesses to a place where labor costs are cheaper or production is more efficient because workers work long hours

Question 14

Public Opinion

Answer 14

the sum of individual attitudes about government, policies, and issues

Question 15

Focus Groups

Answer 15

a small group of individuals assembled for a conversation about specific issues

Question 16

Scientific poll

Answer 16

takes into account a representative sample of randomly selected respondents with a statistically significant sample size, using neutral language

Question 17

Sample

Answer 17

a group of individuals from a larger population used to measure public opinion

Question 18

Random Selection

Answer 18

a method of choosing all poll respondents in a way that does not over- or underrepresent any group of the population

Question 19

Representative Sample

Answer 19

a sample that reflects the demographics of the population

Question 20

Sampling Error

Answer 20

the margin of error in a poll

Question 21

Entrance Survey

Answer 21

a poll conducted of people who are coming into an event

Question 22

Exit polls

Answer 22

a survey conducted following an event or at a polling place after individuals have voted, asking who or what individuals voted for and why

Question 23

Benchmark Polls

Answer 23

a survey taken at the beginning of a political campaign in order to gauge support for a candidate and determine which issues are important to voters

Question 24

Tracking Polls

Answer 24

determine level of support for a candidate or issue

Question 25

What are the 3 Survey Techniques?

Answer 25

1) Random digital dialing- uses telephone numbers randomly generated by a computer to select respondents 2) Question Order- the sequencing of questions in a public opinions polls 3) Question Wording- the phrasing of question in a public opinion poll

Question 26

Political Ideology

Answer 26

a set of beliefs about the desired goals and outcomes of process of governance

Question 27

Right

Answer 27

something guaranteed that the government cant take away

Question 28

Privilege

Answer 28

something a person may obtain or receive but that the government can take away

Question 29

Party Identification

Answer 29

an individual's attachment to a political party

Question 30

Conservatism

Answer 30

an ideology favoring more control over social behavior, fewer regulations on businesses and less government interference in the economy

Question 31

Liberalism

Answer 31

an ideology favoring less government control over social behavior and more greater regulation of businesses and of the economy

Question 32

Libertarianism

Answer 32

an ideology favoring very little government regulation and intervention beyond protecting private property and individual liberty

Question 33

Command-and-control economy

Answer 33

economic policy in which government dictates much of nation's economic activity, including the amount production and price of goods

Question 34

Mixed economy

Answer 34

economic policy in which many economic condition are left to individuals and businesses, with government regulating economic activity

Question 35

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Answer 35

the total value of goods and services produced by an economy

Question 36

Economic Recession

Answer 36

two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth

Question 37

Unemployment Rate

Answer 37

the percentage of people actively looking for work who cant find a job

Question 38

Inflation

Answer 38

the rise in prices of goods and services

Question 39

Consumer Price Index (CPI)

Answer 39

the cost of a fixed basket of goods and services over time, used to measure the cost of living

Question 40

Keynesianism Theory

Answer 40

effects of individuals decisions with regard to saving and spending drives business cycles

Question 41

What is a Boom in economy? (Keynesianism)

Answer 41

people spend more money, invest unwisely

Question 42

What is a Bust in economy? (Keynesianism)

Answer 42

people cut back on spending and investing, exacerbating contraction

Question 43

Supply-Side Theory

Answer 43

proposes lower taxes on individuals and businesses

Question 44

Fiscal Policy

Answer 44

government use of taxes and spending to attempt to lower unemployment, support economic growth, and stabilize the economy

Question 45

Federal Reserve System

Answer 45

a board of governors, Federal Reserve Banks, and member banks responsible for monetary policy

Question 46

What are the 3 main tools of the Fed to influence the economy?

Answer 46

1) Buys and sells treasuries 2) sets and reserve rates that require banks to have a certain amount of deposits kept in reserve 3) influences interest rates banks pay to borrow money from the federal government

Question 47

Medicare

Answer 47

a federal program that provides health insurance to seniors and the disabled

Question 48

Medicaid

Answer 48

a federal program that provides health care for the poor