APIB - Module Overview

American Political Ideologies and Beliefs

Introduction

American political beliefs are shaped by founding ideals, core values, linkage institutions (e.g., elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media in all its forms), and the changing demographics of citizens. These beliefs about government, politics, and the individual's role in the political system influence the creation of public policies.

Key Terms

Authoritarian: A system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits but may nevertheless be restrained by the power of other social institutions.

Constitutional Government: A system of rule in which formal and effective limits are placed on the government.

Citizenship: The status of a person recognized under the custom or law as being a member of a state.

Democracy: A system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the governmental process, usually through the election of key public officials.

Direct Democracy: The people decide policy initiatives directly.

Libertarian: A political philosophy that upholds liberty, or freedom, as its principal objective.

Limited Government: A political system in which legalized force is restricted through delegated powers.

Majority Rule: The political group in a legislative body with the most voting members.

Minority Rights: Interests are protected even when the government operates on the majority rule.

Oligarchy: A small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution.

Pluralism: The political idea that politics and decision-making are located mostly in the framework of government, but that many non-governmental groups use their resources to exert influence.

Political Efficacy: The citizens' faith and trust in government and their belief that they can understand politics.

Popular Sovereignty: The government is represented by the people because the people are the ones who elect the leaders.

Totalitarian Government: Centralized government control.

Agents of Socialization: Include family, school, peers, and media attitude (or opinion), values and beliefs.

Bandwagon Effect: People do something because other people are doing something.

Gender Gap: Difference in opportunity, status, and attitudes between men and women.

Political Ideology: Ethical set of ideas, principles, or symbols

Political Socialization: How people form their ideas about politics.

Probability Sampling: A sample in which every element of the population has an equal chance of participation

Public Opinion: Views prevalent among the general public.

Public Opinion Polls: A survey of a public opinion from a particular sample.

Push Polling: Interactive market technique where individual attempts to alter voters\' views under the guise of conducting a poll.

Random Digit Dialing: Method for selecting people to participate in surveys.

Sample: A small portion of the population.

Sampling Error: An error in a statistical analysis arising from the unrepresentativeness of the sample taken.

Socioeconomic Status: A combined total measure of a person\'s work experience and of an individual's or family's economic and social position in relation to others, based on income, education, and occupation.

Turnout: How many people were present at the voter's polls.

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