AP U. S. Government & Politics Exam Review

1. AP U. S. Government & Politics Exam Review

2. Democratic Theories • Pluralist -Interest groups influence public policy, various groups bargain and compromise to achieve goals, public interest prevails • Elite- Upper-class elite has more influence than everyone else because wealth is the basis of power – influence elections and control corporations • Hyperpluralist - So many interest groups, including elite groups, trying to influence the government that it is unable to act - because they want different things and can attack different levels of government, government freezes up - confusing, contradictory, and muddled policy

3. Enlightenment Thinkers • Locke – men leave nature and form governments to protect their property, government has a limited purpose, people can take power back from government if it exceeds its purpose • Rousseau – social contract – men agree to be governed for the good of all, must follow laws because they are the acts of general will • Montesquieu – separation of powers between three branches, keeping each branch separate prevents the mingling of power and loss of liberty

4. James Madison • Federalist No. 51 – # threats to liberty—1) gov’t, 2) factions, 3) people • in order to ensure liberty, the power of gov’t must be limited and divided and the government must be kept from being too closely tied to the will of the people • Federalist No. 10 – specifically warned of the dangers of factions (i.e. interest groups and political parties), • the power of factions must be limited in order to ensure liberty • Influence: In order to ensure that they are no threats to liberty, he argues for a large republic, separation of powers, checks and balances, and having each part of government represent different parts of society

5. Federalism • What? • Two or more governments have authority over the same area/ppl. • Why? Promotes democracy by… • dividing power, creating more levels of government for new idea, different priorities, opportunities for participation, and ways to redress of grievances (rights) • Types of Powers • Delegated (enumerated), Reserved, and Concurrent Powers • Types of Federalism • Dual - Both the national government and the state governments are supreme in their own sphere (layer cake federalism) • Cooperative Federalism: State and federal governments share powers and policy assignments (marble cake federalism) • Fiscal Federalism: Federal control of state governments through funding, categorical grants, conditions of aid and mandates • Examples?

6. Federalism • Sources of Federal Power • Supremacy clause • Elastic Clause – McCulloch v. Maryland (Marshall Court) – Supremacy of Federal Gov’t; Implied Powers • Commerce Clause – Gibbons v. Ogden (Marshall Court) • Incorporation Doctrine – Gitlow v. New York (1925), Warren Court (incorporates fundamental rights) • Fiscal Federalism – Conditions in Aid, sanctions, and mandates – Handicap Access (ADA), Transportation (National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984), EPA and Clean Air Act, ADA (unfunded mandates) • Limits on Federal Power • Bill of Rights • 10th Amendment • Cannot merge or break up existing states or change representation in the Senate

7. Federalism • Sources of State Power • 10th Amendment • Holds all elections • Devolution – Block Grants – Welfare Reform Act 1996 - TANF • Limits on State Power • Full Faith and Credit Clause • Supremacy Clause

8. Linkage Institutions • Connect the people and the government • Conventional Participation = voting, volunteering for a campaign, running for office, contributing money to a candidate, signing petitions, discussing politics, joining a political party • Unconventional Participation = uncommon, challenging behavior (Protest, Civil Disobedience, sit-ins, strikes, boycotts, marches, demonstrations, Grassroots) • Media, Political Parties, Elections, Interest Groups • What they are • How they connect the people and the government • How the government regulates them

9. Media • What? • Print v. Broadcast News • Network v. Cable News Stations • Narrowcasting and Bias – Framing and Setting the Agenda • Internet – Blogs and fact checking • Linkage? • Journalists rely on the government for the news and the government relies on the media to report it to citizens • President gets the most media attention, SC gets the least • Lets people know what the government is doing and the government know what people are thinking (public sentiment) • Media Events, Trial Balloons, Watchdog Function • Regulations? • Freedom of the Press—1st amendment cases • Libel, Sedition (defamation written/spoken) • FCC – Broadcast Stations need license – cannot be monopoly, must serve public interest, equal time rule (breaking news exception)

10. Political Parties • What? • Organized effort to pursue common interests by gaining power and exercising power by winning elections and controlling gov’t • Pick Candidates and Run Campaigns, Mobilize Support, Forces of Stability and Moderation, Accountability and Loyal Opposition, Help voters make decisions, Policy Formation and Promotion – Party Platforms • Republicans v. Democrats (SPERM) • Third Parties—role in our system • Linkage? • Encourage participation in campaigns and elections—GOTV drives, communicates with members • Parties exist at national, state, and local levels • Regulations? • Major parties on ballot, minor parties must pay fees and get signatures • Campaign Finance Reports—FCC monitors fundraising and spending

11. Elections • What? • Primary Elections (Open v. Closed, Caucus) • General Elections • Policy Elections (Initiatives and Referendums) • Linkage? • People choose candidates for office • People choose officeholders • People vote directly on legislation • Regulations? • McCain-Feingold Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 • Ban on soft money, limits on contributions, mandatory reporting • McConnell v. FEC – 2003 (campaign regulations OK) • Citizens United v. FEC – 2010 (independent expenditures can be unlimited)

12. Interest Groups • What? • Organization of people with similar policy goals that enter the political process to try to achieve those goals, Do not try to win elections and do not run candidates - try to influence those in government, Policy specialists not policy generalists, Only try to satisfy their members, do no try to appeal to everyone • Economic (AFL), Environmental Interests (Sierra club), Equality Interests (NAACP, NOW), Public Interests (League of Women Voters), Single Issue (NRA) • Linkage? • Give people the opportunity to participate outside elections • Lobbyists, electioneering, grassroots, amicus curiae briefs and litigation • 26th Amendment, Civil Rights Act, Brown v. Board, Roe v. Wade • Regulations? • Freedom of Expression • Campaign Finance Laws and PACs • Lobbying Disclosure Act - 1995 - Lobbyists must register and file expenditure reports • Honest Leadership and Open Government Act - 2007 - bans on gifts, tougher disclosure laws, lengthen time in between retirement from government and hiring by interest group

13. Institutions of Government House – 435 – Congressional Districts Senate – 100, 2 per state District, Circuit Court (Appellate), Supreme Court Nine Justices Executive Department, Executive Agencies, Regulatory Agencies, Government Corps President, VP, Bureaucracy (Cabinet) Executive Legislative Judicial Bureaucracy Who? How? Powers? Electoral College – winner take all system House – Direct Election, States draw district lines Senate – Direct Election (17th Amendment) Appointed by President, confirmed by Senate Civil Service and Merit System, President appoints, Senate confirms Make all laws, collect taxes, regulate foreign and interstate commerce, declare war, raise an army, coin money, establish post office, create courts, elastic clause Senate- confirmations, treaties, impeachment trials, filibusters House – appropriations, impeachment charges Make all appointments, execute the law, commander in chief, negotiate treaties, sign/veto laws, state of the union, receive ambassadors, executive orders and executive agreements • Interpret the Law • cases involving foreign diplomats/countries, between the US and a state, between two or more states • cases involving a substantial constitutional questions Implementation of Federal Laws – i.e. Clean Air Act, Medicare Regulation – Federal Reserve Bank, FCC

14. Institutions of Gov’t: Checks & Balances • Executive- • Checks on Legislative: Presidential Veto, Commander in Chief of Armed Forces, Executes the spending, the laws, and the regulations/instructions of Congress, Can call special sessions of Congress • Checks on Judicial: Makes all appointments to all seats on the federal bench, Has the power to grant ‘reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States’, implements laws • Checks of Bureaucracy: Appoint people who agree with them politically to head up agencies and departments, Issue Executive Orders, Alter the budget of an agency – OMB, Reorganize an agency or department - DHS • Legislative • Checks on Executive: Declare War, War Powers Act, Senate ratifies treaties and appointments, impeachments, congressional override of veto • Checks on Judicial: approves appointments, amendment process, create courts (size and structure), make all laws, impeachment • Checks on Bureaucracy: Approve Presidential appointments to head up agencies, Alter an agencies budget – appropriations, Hold Congressional oversight hearings to evaluate performance, Create and abolish agencies – change agencies functions, Rewrite legislation to either change it or clarify to goals of a policy

15. Institutions of Gov’t: Checks & Balances • Judicial • Checks on Executive: interpret all laws, rule on constitutionality, impeachment, issue injunctions • Checks on Legislative: interpret all laws, rule on constitutionality • Checks on Bureaucracy: Issue injunctions and rule on due process and civil rights • Bureaucracy • Checks on Executive and Legislative: responsible for implementation and regulation, speed and thoroughness • Checks on Judicial: Litigation, Amicus briefs

16. Elections in the U.S. • Voting Requirements? • 18 years old, citizen, must register in advance in all but seven states, limits on felons vary • Voter Turnout? • 60% Presidential, 40% midterms • Age, Race, Income, Education • Presidential Elections? • Party Identification, Personal Image, Policy and Issue Voting • Congressional Elections? • Census, Reapportionment, Redistricting, Gerrymandering • Advantages of Incumbency: Advertising and Visibility - Travel Allowances and Franking Privileges, Credit Claiming - Casework and Pork Barrel, Weak Opponents (more House than Senate), Campaign Spending and Paid Staffs • Party Allegiance? • Democrats – Northeast, Urban, Poor, Women, Minorities, Catholics, Jews, Lawyers, Educators, Labor • Republicans – Men, White, Protestant, Rural, Doctors, Executives, White-collar • Advantages of Majority Party in Government • Agenda Setting, Media and Bully Pulpit • Appointments and Confirmations • Congressional Committees – control chair and have majority in each committee, appoint leadership, assign bills to committees

17. Public Policy • Intentional course of action followed by government in dealing with some problem or matter of concern • Steps in Public Policy: 1. Problem Recognition + Agenda Setting, 2. Policy Formation + Budgeting, 3. Policy Implementation, 4. Policy Evaluation • Economic Policy • Monetary Policy – Federal Reserve • Fiscal Policy – Taxing and Spending, Budget Process, Discretionary v. Mandatory Spending • Social Welfare Policy • Entitlement Programs – Social Security, Medicare • Means-Tested Programs – TANF, Medicaid • Foreign Policy • Role of President, Congress, State Department, Joint Chiefs