American Political Culture
The belief that government derives its power from the consent of the governed.
Popular Sovereignty
A relatively small group of people selected from a larger population to represent the whole.
Sample
This group generally favors lower taxes, traditional social values, and decreased government spending on social programs.
Conservatives
Managing the economy through taxes and spending—controlled by Congress and the President.
Fiscal Policy
This is statistically the single most significant influence on a person's political socialization.
Family
This value emphasizes that no one, including the President, is above the law.
The Rule of Law
The key to a scientific poll; it ensures every member of the population has an equal chance of being chosen.
Random Sample
This group generally supports government intervention to promote social justice and environmental protection, but less intervention in personal privacy.
Liberals
Controlling the money supply and interest rates—managed by the Federal Reserve
Monetary Policy
The phenomenon where people change their political priorities or become more conservative as they age and gain assets.
Lifecycle Effect
A philosophy favoring limited government and free markets, emphasizing self-reliance.
Individualism
Constant polls conducted over time to track the rise or fall of a candidate’s support during a campaign
Tracking Poll
This ideology opposes almost all government regulation, whether it’s the economy or personal social choices.
Libertarianism
A tax where the rate increases as the amount of taxable income increases (like the US Federal Income Tax).
Progressive Tax
A major historical event (like the Great Depression or 9/11) that shapes the views of an entire age group for life.
Generational Effect
This concept suggests that the government should provide a "level playing field" for all citizens, regardless of background.
Equality of Opportunity
When a poll's questions are phrased specifically to influence the respondent's answer.
Wording Bias
A conservative economic belief that cutting taxes for the wealthy and corporations leads to job creation and growth.
Supply-Side Economics
To fight high inflation, the Federal Reserve will typically do this to interest rates.
Increase them
The process by which U.S. political culture is influenced by other countries and global markets through trade and technology.
Globalization
The constant tension between these two values often defines the debate over national security vs. individual privacy.
Liberty vs. Order
The statistical phenomenon where a sample's results differ slightly from the actual population's views, usually expressed as a percentage.
Sampling Error (Margin of Error)
The liberal economic belief that the government should spend money during recessions to boost consumer demand.
Keynesian Economics
These programs (like Social Security) must be paid out to anyone who meets the legal criteria, making them difficult for Congress to cut.
Entitlement Programs
This specific demographic group has seen the most significant shift toward the Democratic party over the last 20 years.
Younger Voters (Gen Z/Millennials) or College-Educated Women