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GOV Unit 4

QuestionAnswer
Federal Reserve System The central banking system of the United States made up of the Board of Governors, 12 regional Federal Reserve Banks, and member banks responsible for monetary policy
Monetary Policy Government policy that regulates the amount of money in the economy to control inflation and unemployment
Fiscal Policy Government use of taxation and spending to influence the economy
Interest Rate The price of borrowing money
Board of Governors The seven
Federal Reserve Banks The twelve regional banks that help implement monetary policy and supervise banks
Open Market Operations The buying and selling of U.S. Treasury securities by the Federal Reserve to influence the money supply
Reserve Requirement The percentage of deposits banks must keep in reserve rather than loaning out
Discount Rate The interest rate the Federal Reserve charges commercial banks to borrow money
Inflation A general increase in prices and decrease in the purchasing power of money
Unemployment The percentage of the labor force that is without jobs but actively seeking work
Money Supply The total amount of money available in the economy
Expansionary Monetary Policy Actions taken by the Fed to increase the money supply and stimulate the economy
Contractionary Monetary Policy Actions taken by the Fed to decrease the money supply to slow inflation
What is the main goal of monetary policy To maintain economic stability by controlling inflation, unemployment, and the money supply
Who appoints members of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors The President of the United States
Who confirms members of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors The United States Senate
How long is a Federal Reserve Board of Governors term 14 years
Why are Federal Reserve terms so long To keep the Fed independent from political pressure and presidential influence
Why is the Federal Reserve considered independent Because its leaders serve long terms and cannot easily be removed by elected officials
What are the three main tools of monetary policy Open market operations, the reserve requirement, and the discount rate
Which monetary policy tool involves buying and selling treasury securities Open market operations
What happens when the Fed buys treasury securities The money supply increases and interest rates usually fall
What happens when the Fed sells treasury securities The money supply decreases and interest rates usually rise
What happens when the reserve requirement increases Banks lend less money and the money supply decreases
What happens when the reserve requirement decreases Banks can lend more money and the money supply increases
What happens when the discount rate increases Borrowing becomes more expensive and banks lend less
What happens when the discount rate decreases Borrowing becomes cheaper and banks lend more
How does the Fed respond to high unemployment It lowers interest rates to encourage borrowing and spending
How does lowering interest rates help the economy It encourages businesses to invest and hire more workers
How does the Fed respond to high inflation It raises interest rates to reduce borrowing and spending
How do higher interest rates reduce inflation They slow spending and economic activity which lowers price increases
What is the difference between fiscal policy and monetary policy Fiscal policy involves government spending and taxes while monetary policy controls the money supply and interest rates
Which branch mainly controls fiscal policy Congress and the President
Which institution controls monetary policy The Federal Reserve
Why might critics oppose the Federal Reserve’s independence Because unelected officials have significant control over the economy
What argument supports Federal Reserve independence Economic decisions should be insulated from short
What AP concept explains tension between economic goals like inflation and unemployment Economic policy tradeoffs
What is the dual mandate of the Federal Reserve Promote stable prices and maximize employment
Political Ideology A coherent set of beliefs about politics, government, and the role of government in society
Liberal Ideology The belief that government should play an active role in solving social and economic problems
Conservative Ideology The belief that government should be limited and that individuals and markets should solve most problems
Libertarian Ideology The belief that government should be extremely limited in both economic and personal matters
Moderate Ideology A political viewpoint that falls between liberal and conservative positions
Liberal (Democratic Ideology) Supports government programs that promote economic equality, social welfare, and regulation of business
Conservative (Republican Ideology) Supports limited government, free markets, lower taxes, and traditional social values
Libertarian Supports minimal government involvement in both the economy and personal lives
Democratic Party One of the two major U.S. political parties generally associated with liberal ideology
Republican Party One of the two major U.S. political parties generally associated with conservative ideology
Economic Policy Government decisions about taxation, spending, and regulation that influence the economy
Social Policy Government decisions about issues such as civil rights, abortion, gun laws, and education
What do liberals generally believe about government’s role in the economy Government should regulate business and provide programs to reduce inequality
What do conservatives generally believe about government’s role in the economy Government regulation should be limited and free markets should dominate
What do libertarians believe about government’s role in the economy Government should have very little involvement in the economy
What do liberals generally support regarding social programs Expanding programs such as healthcare, education funding, and social welfare
What do conservatives generally support regarding taxes Lower taxes and reduced government spending
What do libertarians support regarding personal freedoms Maximum individual liberty and minimal government restrictions
Which party is most closely associated with liberal ideology The Democratic Party
Which party is most closely associated with conservative ideology The Republican Party
Why do libertarians disagree with both major parties Because they oppose government intervention in both economic and social issues
Which ideology typically supports stronger environmental regulations Liberal ideology
Which ideology typically supports fewer business regulations Conservative ideology
Which ideology supports legalizing many personal choices such as drugs or marriage laws Libertarian ideology
Which ideology supports expanding government programs like healthcare and student aid Liberal ideology
Which ideology supports reducing the size and role of government Conservative ideology
Which ideology supports the smallest possible government Libertarian ideology
Which political ideology is most supportive of government welfare programs Liberal ideology
Which political ideology is most supportive of free market capitalism with little regulation Conservative ideology
Which ideology would most likely oppose both high taxes and government restrictions on personal behavior Libertarian ideology
How do Democrats generally view government assistance programs They generally support expanding them to reduce inequality
How do Republicans generally view government assistance programs They generally support limiting them to reduce government spending
Why do conservatives argue for limited government They believe free markets and individuals make better decisions than government
Why do liberals support a larger government role They believe government can help create equality and protect vulnerable groups
What is the main priority of libertarian ideology Protecting individual liberty and limiting government power
Individualism The belief that individuals should be responsible for themselves and for the decisions they make
Equality of Opportunity The belief that everyone should have the chance to succeed based on their own effort
Equality of Result The idea that everyone should end up with roughly the same economic outcomes regardless of effort
Free Enterprise An economic system where businesses operate with minimal government interference
Laissez faire
Rule of Law The principle that no person, including government officials, is above the law
Limited Government The principle that government power is restricted by laws and constitutional protections of individual rights
Checks and Balances A system in which each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches
Federalism A system of government in which power is divided between national and state governments
Bill of Rights The first ten amendments to the Constitution protecting individual liberties
Liberty Freedom from excessive government control
Order The government’s role in maintaining stability, safety, and structure in society
Public Policy A system of laws, regulatory measures, courses of action, and funding priorities concerning a public issue
Entitlement Programs Government programs that provide benefits to people who meet specific eligibility requirements regardless of income
Social Security A federal entitlement program providing retirement income to workers who paid payroll taxes during their careers
Medicare A federal health insurance program primarily for people over age 65 and certain disabled individuals
Welfare Programs Government programs that provide assistance based on financial need
SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program providing food benefits to low
TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, a welfare program providing temporary financial assistance
AFDC Aid to Families with Dependent Children, a New Deal–era welfare program later replaced by TANF
Political Culture The widely shared beliefs, values, and norms about government and politics within a society
Political Socialization The process by which people develop their political beliefs and values
Political Ideology A set of beliefs about the role and purpose of government
Family Political Socialization The influence parents and relatives have on a person’s political beliefs
Class Political Socialization The influence of economic status on political beliefs
Race Political Socialization The influence of racial identity and experiences on political attitudes
Education Political Socialization The influence schools and education level have on political beliefs
Peer Political Socialization The influence of friends and social groups on political views
Religion Political Socialization The influence of religious beliefs and institutions on political attitudes
Civic Organizations Nonprofit groups formed for community or charitable purposes that can influence political participation
Generational Effect The impact of historical events experienced by a generation on its political views
Life Cycle Effect Changes in political views that occur as people age and enter different stages of life
Globalization The increasing interconnectedness of people, businesses, and countries around the world
Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) International organizations formed by governments to cooperate on global issues
Outsourcing When companies move jobs or production to other countries where labor costs are cheaper
Public Opinion The collective attitudes and beliefs of individuals on political issues
Sample A group selected from a larger population used to measure public opinion
Random Selection A polling method ensuring each person has an equal chance of being chosen for the sample
Representative Sample A sample that accurately reflects the demographics of the larger population
Sampling Error The margin of error in a poll caused by surveying only a portion of the population
Statistical Significance A measure indicating that poll results are likely not due to random chance
Straw Poll An informal and unofficial poll used to gauge opinion but not scientifically reliable
Entrance Poll A poll conducted when people enter an event or location
Exit Poll A survey of voters taken immediately after leaving a polling place
Benchmark Poll A poll taken at the beginning of a political campaign to measure initial public opinion
Tracking Poll A poll conducted repeatedly over time to measure changes in public opinion
Random Digit Dialing A polling method where computers randomly generate phone numbers to contact respondents
Question Wording Bias When the phrasing of a poll question influences the respondent’s answer
Question Order Bias When the sequence of questions influences responses
Push Poll A deceptive poll designed to influence voters’ opinions rather than measure them
Sample Bias When a poll sample does not accurately represent the population
Nonresponse Bias When people who do not respond to polls differ significantly from those who do respond
Social Desirability Bias When respondents give answers they believe are socially acceptable rather than their true opinions
Acquiescence Bias The tendency of respondents to agree with statements regardless of their content
Interviewer Bias When the pollster’s behavior or tone influences responses
Gender Gap The difference between how men and women vote or view political issues
Party Identification A person’s psychological attachment to a political party
Revenue Money the government collects primarily through taxes
Income Tax A tax on the income individuals earn
Corporate Tax A tax on the profits of corporations
Excise Tax A tax placed on specific goods or services when they are purchased
Payroll Tax A tax taken from workers’ paychecks used to fund Social Security and Medicare
Outlays Government spending in a fiscal year
Deficit When government spending exceeds government revenue
Surplus When government revenue exceeds spending
National Debt The total amount of money the government owes from borrowing to cover deficits
Government Bonds Loans investors give to the government that must be repaid with interest
Debt Ceiling The legal limit on the amount the federal government can borrow
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) The total value of all goods and services produced in a country in a year
Unemployment Rate The percentage of people actively seeking work who cannot find jobs
Inflation Rate The rate at which prices for goods and services increase over time
Consumer Price Index (CPI) A measure tracking the cost of a standard basket of goods over time
Business Cycle The pattern of economic expansion and contraction over time
Fiscal Policy Government use of taxation and spending to influence the economy
Keynesian Economics The economic theory that government spending and lower taxes should be used to stimulate demand during economic downturns
Demand Side Economics
Supply Side Economics
Trickle Down Economics
Monetary Policy Government policy controlling the money supply and interest rates
Federal Reserve System The central banking system responsible for monetary policy in the United States
Reserve Requirement The amount of money banks must keep in reserve rather than loan out
Treasury Securities Government bonds bought and sold by the Federal Reserve to control the money supply
Medicaid A government healthcare program for low
Delegate role Representatives act as a "mouthpiece" or agent for their constituents
Trustee role Constituents "entrust" the representative to use their best judgment and intellect to make decisions
Politico role A combination of the delegate and trustee roles, often viewed as the most accurate description of a politician's actions.
Created by: katdolan
 

 



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