Vocabulary Terms

Citizen beliefs about government are shaped by the intersection of demographics, political culture, and dynamic social change.

Demographics

The characteristics of a population with respect to age, race, and gender.

Demography

The science of measuring people according to categories such as place, race, gender and other characteristics.

Equality of opportunity

The notion that everyone has the same options to succeed within a given framework.

Individualism

A core value in the US political culture of self-reliance and focus on individual decision-making.

Political culture

Commonly shared attitudes, beliefs, and core values about how government should operate

Political socialization

The process by which we develop our political attitudes, values, and beliefs.