2.3 gov notes

Election Cycle

The timing of elections that influences congressional behavior and lawmakers' priorities.

How do election cycles affect Congress?

Members often focus on constituent concerns and legislative achievements before elections to improve reelection chances.

Primary Elections

Elections held within political parties that often encourage candidates to appeal to their party's base.

How do primary elections affect policymaking?

They can push candidates toward more ideologically extreme positions.

Campaign Finance

Money raised and spent to support political campaigns.

How does campaign finance influence Congress?

Lawmakers may prioritize the interests of donors and supporting interest groups.

Mandate

The belief that election results give elected officials public support to pursue their policy agenda.

Accountability

Lawmakers are responsible to voters and seek reelection by fulfilling campaign promises.

Partisanship

Strong loyalty to a political party that influences legislative behavior and voting.

How does partisanship affect Congress?

It increases party-line voting and reduces compromise.

Polarization

The movement of political parties toward more extreme ideological positions.

How does polarization affect Congress?

It makes bipartisan cooperation more difficult and increases conflict.

Party Loyalty

The tendency for members of Congress to support the positions of their political party.

Party Unity

The degree to which members of the same political party vote together.

Party Platform

The set of policies and goals supported by a political party.

Obstructionism

Actions taken by the minority party to delay or block the majority party's agenda.

Compromise

The process of negotiating and making concessions to reach agreement on legislation.

Gridlock

A situation where Congress cannot pass legislation because of disagreement between parties.

Major Cause of Gridlock

Partisanship and polarization.

Divided Government

A situation where one party controls the presidency while another controls at least one chamber of Congress.

How does divided government affect policymaking?

It often requires negotiation and compromise before legislation can pass.

Checks and Balances in Divided Government

Different parties controlling different branches increase oversight of one another.

Executive Orders

Directives issued by the President that can be used when Congress is gridlocked.

Why are executive orders used more during divided government?

Congress may be unable to pass legislation due to partisan disagreement.

Negotiation in Divided Government

Parties often work together to reach agreements that can pass both chambers.

Policy Shifts in Divided Government

Policies are often more moderate because compromise is necessary.

Interaction of Elections and Partisanship

Election cycles often reinforce partisanship as candidates appeal to their party's base.

Congressional Behavior

The actions and decisions of members of Congress influenced by elections, parties, and constituents.

Governing Behavior

How elected officials make policy and carry out their responsibilities while in office.

Ideological Divisions

Differences in political beliefs between parties that affect lawmaking.

Partisan Voting

When members of Congress vote based primarily on political party affiliation.

Gerrymandering

The drawing of congressional district boundaries to favor one political party.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing congressional district boundaries after each census.

Unequal Representation

When some voting districts provide more political influence than others.

Equal Protection Challenges

Lawsuits claiming redistricting violates the Equal Protection Clause.

Lame Duck President

A president serving the remainder of a term after a successor has been elected.

Trustee Model

A representative votes using personal knowledge, judgment, and what they believe is best.

Delegate Model

A representative votes according to the wishes and interests of constituents.

Politico Model

A representative combines the trustee and delegate approaches depending on the issue.

Constituents

The people represented by an elected official.

How does the trustee model differ from the delegate model?

A trustee uses personal judgment, while a delegate follows constituent opinion.

How does the House respond to public opinion?

Representatives serve two-year terms and represent smaller districts, making them more responsive.

How does the Senate provide stability?

Senators serve six-year staggered terms that encourage long-term policymaking.

Why is the House more responsive than the Senate?

House members face elections every two years and represent smaller constituencies.

Why is the Senate considered more stable?

Longer terms reduce immediate political pressure and encourage continuity.

How do committees influence legislation?

They specialize in policy areas, hold hearings, revise bills, and determine whether legislation advances.

Why is bicameralism important?

It requires both chambers to agree before legislation becomes law, creating checks and balances.

Why are the House and Senate different by design?

To balance representation of the people with representation of the states and prevent concentrated power.

Why does Congress use conference committees?

To reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of the same bill.

What is the role of Congress in public policy?

Congress creates, debates, amends, funds, and oversees federal laws and programs.

AP Gov Tip: House

Remember: Population, 435 members, 2-year terms, revenue bills, impeachment, Speaker of the House.

AP Gov Tip: Senate

Remember: 100 members, 2 per state, 6-year terms, confirms appointments, ratifies treaties, impeachment trials, filibuster, cloture.