Class values

political interests shaped by social classes, such as worker or capitalist

Culture wars

term that came into use during the first decade of the twenty-first century to describe sharp divisions within the American Public over fundamental values as reflected in disagreements over such issues as abortion, gay marriage, and prayer in schools, euthanasia, generic research, and sex education

Economic -well-being

   level of income, food, health care, and education that satisfies minimum quality -of-life standards and permits full growth and development.

Goal

an objective

Interest group

    members of the public who organize in an attempt to shape public policy on issues of concern to them.

National interest

   vital needs and fundamental interests of nations, such as security, liberty, justice, and welfare, essential for independence, prosperity, and power.

Policy

in the context of political science, a government course or general plan of action designed to solve problems or achieve specified goals.

Political actor

        individual or group that expresses and shapes public values, struggles for power, and decides issues of public policy.

Political values

important beliefs about which goals, principles, and policies are worthwhile in public affairs.

Principle

basic truth or belief that is used as a basis of reasoning or a guide to behavior

Public interest

community interest that transcends the personal interests of individuals or groups and expresses the best long range interests of the nation.

Welfare

government provisions for, or contributions to, individual needs for employment, income, food, housing healthcare and literacy.