Core American Values
The belief that individuals should be responsible for themselves and their own decisions.
What is individualism?
Statistically, this is the single most influential factor in determining a person's political party identification.
What is the family?
A small group of people selected by pollsters to represent the entire population.
What is a sample?
This ideology generally favors more government intervention in the economy and more protection for social liberties.
What is Liberalism?
Liberals typically support this type of tax, where the tax rate increases as the person's income increases.
What is a progressive tax?
The principle that no one, including government officials, is above the law.
What is the rule of law?
The process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs and values.
What is political socialization?
The statistical calculation of the difference between the results of a poll and the true opinions of the population.
What is the margin of error?
This ideology generally favors lower taxes, traditional social values, and a strong national defense.
What is Conservatism?
This economic theory suggests the government should stimulate the economy during a recession by increasing spending.
What is Keynesian economics?
An economic system where the government plays as little a role as possible in transactions between private parties.
What is free enterprise (or Laissez-faire)?
The impact of historical events (like the Great Depression or 9/11) on the political views of a specific age group.
What is the generational effect?
This type of poll is conducted outside polling places on Election Day to predict the winner before results are official.
What is an exit poll?
This ideology favors very little government intervention in both the economy and private social lives.
What is Libertarianism?
Liberals are more likely to support these "safety net" programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid.
What is social welfare?
The idea that the government’s power should be restricted by a constitution to protect natural rights.
What is limited government?
This effect explains why people's political priorities often shift as they age and take on more responsibilities like mortgages or kids.
What is the lifecycle effect?
A method of polling that gives every person in a population an equal chance of being selected.
What is random selection (or simple random sample)?
This ideology prioritizes government control over both economic and social spheres to maintain order.
What is Authoritarianism (or Statism)?
The term for government spending on programs that are required by law, such as Social Security.
What is mandatory spending (or entitlement spending)?
The American value that every person should have the same chance to succeed, though not necessarily the same outcome.
What is equality of opportunity?
The process by which the interconnectedness of nations can influence American political culture (e.g., via social media or trade).
What is globalization?
A continuous poll that allows a campaign to chart its daily rise or fall in support.
What is a tracking poll?
The specific name for a poll that uses "loaded" or leading questions to try and influence a voter's opinion.
What is a push poll?
The policy of the government using taxes and spending to influence the economy.
What is fiscal policy?