AP US Government

AP US Government

Year in Review

Constitutional Underpinnings and Federalism

Influences on the ConstitutionArticles of Confederation

Accomplishments

Weakness

John Locke and Federalist Essays

Constitutional Underpinnings and Federalism

Adoption of the Constitution

Components of the Major Articles

Amending Process

Key Amendments

Electoral College Process

Impeachment Process

Constitutional Underpinnings and Federalism

Separation of PowersWar

Raising Revenue

Confirmation

Impeachment

Constitutional Underpinnings and Federalism

Elite Theories of Democratic Government

Interest Group pluralism/hyperpluralism

Elitism

Belief in equality of opportunity NOT results

Constitutional Underpinnings and Federalism

FederalismDefine federal, unitary, and confederate forms of gvtsHow has the relationship between the Federal and state governments changed?

McCulloch v MarylandUnfunded mandatesTypes of sanctions (cross over/ cross- cutting)Block Grants

Political Beliefs and Behaviors

Beliefs that citizens hold about their government and their leaders

Mistrust

Trends in Presidential approvalProcess by which citizens learn about politics

– Political Socialization

– Selective perception

Political Beliefs and Behaviors

Demographic beliefs and voter behaviorID major demographic groups and identify their political behavior (voting patterns and turnout)

Educated/uneducatedWhite/minorityRich/poorYoung/old

Political Beliefs and Behaviors

The nature sources and consequences of public opinion (dealignment)

Ways people participate in politicsVoting/statistics/obstacles to turnout

Other forms of political participation

Factors that make citizens differ from one another in beliefs and behaviors

Political Parties, Interest Groups and Media

Parties/electionsFunctions

Organize competition

Get candidates elected

Provide loyal opposition– Organization

• Nation v. grass roots party membership

• Two party systems/ multi-party systems

Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Media

Development of Parties

Realignment

Obstacles for 3rd Parties

Describe the decline of the political party (changes in membership)

Effects on the political process

Political Parties

Electoral laws and systemsPlurality elections, winner-take-all, proportional representationPrimary, caucus, conventionHow do Dems/GOP nominate Presidential CandidatesElectoral CollegeDescribe contemporary political campaigns

Interest Groups

Range of interests represented?

Activities?Techniques / resources

Examples of groups and resources

Effects on the ProcessFed 10

Incumbency advantage

Interest Groups

PAC’s

- Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974

- McCain-Feingold and Buckley v. Valeo

Media

Functions and structures of the Media

Impact of media on politicsCampaigns (watchdog)

Gatekeeper

Horse race journalism

IV. Institutions of Government(A) Congress

Describe the demographics of congress

Explain the incumbency advantages

Define gerrymandering / ID Supreme Court Limits on gerrymandering

Congress

Factors that influence congressDivided government

Party discipline

Interest group pluralism

District concerns

Congress

Legislative Process Advantages of the majority partyImportance of committeesSpeaker of the HouseRules committeeStanding committeesCommittee assignmentsLeadership positionsFilibuster/cloturePork barrel politics (ear-marks)

Congress

Non-Legislative RolesOversight of the bureaucracy

Confirmation politics (Senate)

Impeachment / removal (House and Senate)

Investigations (Watergate/ Whitewater/ Monica Lewinski)

What are the differences in the House and Senate?

HousePower of the purse (ways and means)

Closest to the people

More rules

Fewer staff

Less prestigious

2 year terms

25 years old

SenateMore prestigious

Less formal, fewer rules

Confirmations/Treaties

Filibusters

6 year terms

30 years old

The Presidency

What are the Constitutional Powers of the President?

What are the informal powers of the president? (Where are they found?)

President & Congress

How has the President gained power over Congress?

Executive orders

Executive Agreements

Impoundment

War Powers

Veto / veto threats

Courts

Who creates courts?

How are federal judges selected?

How is the court system organized?

Describe basic jurisdictional issuesWhat is habeas corpus?

How do most court cases end?

Courts

Describe Supreme Court procedureWhat cases have original jurisdiction in the Supreme Court?How do Justices decide to grant cert?How can outside groups influence the court?Who is the solicitor general?What is concurring / dissenting opinionWhat is Judicial Activism? What is judicial restraint?Id/ describe major rulings of the Warren and Burger Courts

Bureaucracy

ID Cabinet, independent agencies, EOP, and Government Corporations.Describe quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial functionsWhat are iron triangles?ID rules of the bureacucracy

Hatch ActFreedom of Information ActPendleton Act

Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

The development of CL’s by judicial interpretation

Know rights and libertiesLimits on Free speech

Interpretations on Separation between Church and State

Lemon v Kurtzman

New Jersey School Bus ruling

Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

Development to the Right of Privacy

Development of Due Process

The impact of the 14th amendment on the development of rights and liberties

Barron v Baltimore

Gitlow v NY

Gideon v. Waingright

Key SC Cases

Bakke v California

Brown v Board

Engel v Vitale

Gideon v Wainright

Gitlow v NY

Griswold v Conn.

Heart of Atlanta Hotel

Lemon v Kurtzman

Marbury v MadisonMapp v OhioMcCulloch v MDMiranda Miller v CaliNew Jersey School BusRoe v. WadeSchenck v USWestburyBaker

Public Policy

Formation of policy agendasRole of institutions in the enactment of policyRole of the bureaucracy and courts in policy implementationIdentify a “policy network” Know what “entitlements” are.Identify the US tax policy as “progressive”