Core American Values
This core value states that no individual—not even the President or government officials—is above the law.
Rule of Law
Statistically speaking, this agent of socialization is the single strongest and most influential factor in determining a young person's political orientation.
Family
For a poll to be considered scientific and representative, every person in the population must have an equal chance of being chosen through this process.
Random Sampling
A candidate from the Green Party earns 12% of the popular vote in a congressional district election, but because the candidate from the Democratic Party earned 46% and the candidate from the Republican Party earned 42%, the Democratic candidate wins 100% of the seat's representation. Which electoral system feature prevented the Green Party candidate from winning seats?
Winner take all system
This economic core value, favored strongly by conservatives via a laissez-faire approach, advocates for minimal government intrusion and fewer regulations on private business.
Free Enterprise
Historical events like Watergate or 9/11 shape political views through this effect, whereas issues like Medicare vs. college debt reflect political view shifts based on an individual's age through this effect.
Generational vs Life-Cycle
A standard national mass survey polls roughly 1,500 respondents, typically resulting in a statistical discrepancy range of plus or minus 3 percent, known as this.
Sampling error or margin or error
Political parties with significant control that have a realistic chance of winning major elections are called major parties, whereas those lacking widespread national support are called this.
Minor or Third Parties
While Americans generally agree everyone should have an equal chance to succeed, liberals and conservatives debate whether government intervention is required to guarantee this principle.
Equality of Opportunity
On the political spectrum, an individual who holds tolerant, middle-of-the-road viewpoints without taking extreme positions on either side is classified as this.
Moderate
Unlike benchmark or exit polls, this type of poll continuously measures the rise and fall of voter support for candidates across the duration of an entire campaign.
Tracking Poll
The Libertarian Party represents an Ideological Party, the Right to Life Party represents a Single-Issue Party, and the Progressive "Bull Moose" Party is an example of this fourth minor party type.
Splinter Party
During a national emergency, Congress passes a law allowing federal agencies to monitor citizens' communications without a warrant. Opponents file a lawsuit arguing this violates the Constitution's protections against unreasonable search and seizure, asserting that national security cannot override the fundamental constitutional framework. Which core American value is represented by the opponents' legal challenge?
Limited Government
While this ideological group on the far left calls for rapid, wide-sweeping changes to social structures, this group on the far right wants to return to the way things were in the past.
Radicals vs Reactionaries
Using phrases with loaded or emotionally charged language in survey questions introduces this problem, skewing poll validity.
Bias, specifically question or wording bias
Since 1968, the United States has operated under an era where executive and legislative power constantly shifts back and forth without one long-term dominant party, known as this era.
Era of Divided Government
A state government passes a law requiring low-income workers to complete financial literacy training before they can receive state unemployment benefits. Critics argue that adults should manage their own personal finances and career decisions without state interference or mandated training. Which core American value are the critics emphasizing?
Individualism
According to polling data on political ideology, individuals in higher income brackets are statistically more likely to identify as this ideological group compared to lower-income individuals.
Conservative
This term describes media coverage that focuses primarily on who is winning or losing in polling data rather than focusing on substantive policy issues.
Horse Race Journalism
During a high-profile legislative debate over an infrastructure bill, members of the minority party in the Senate hold daily press conferences to point out what they claim are wasteful spending provisions in the majority party’s proposal. Which role of political parties are being demonstrated in this scenario?
Serving as a watchdog