AP GOV CH1 Notes

Conflict

Politics often involves disagreement.

Process

The way decisions are made matters.

Ubiquity

Politics impacts all areas of life.

Why Do We Have a Government?

Government implements decisions through politics.

Order

Prevents chaos, ensuring safety and stability.

General Welfare

Solves big societal issues like poverty and national defense.

Separation of Powers

Divides power among three branches (judicial, executive, legislative) to prevent domination.

Checks and Balances

Each branch can limit the others.

Federalism

Power is shared across local, state, and national levels.

Public Goods

Services like national defense that everyone benefits from but aren’t provided by the free market.

Collective Action Problems

Issues where people benefit from cooperation but have incentives not to contribute (e.g., free rider problem).

Visible Roles

Police, military, IRS, FDA—government impacts daily life through law enforcement, regulation, and protection of rights.

Monarchy

Rule by one

Aristocracy

Rule by a few.

Polity

Rule by many.

Diversity

Different economic interests lead to political conflict.

Free Market

Core American value, promoting competition with little government interference.

Democrats

Favor higher taxes on the rich, more industry regulation, and fewer personal behavior regulations.

Republicans

Prefer lower taxes, minimal business regulation, and more personal behavior regulation.

Culture Wars

Conflicts between religious and secular Americans.

Hot-Button Issues

Family values, marriage, abortion, school prayer, gun control, immigration, religious displays.

Melting Pot

Assimilation into a common American culture.

Multiculturalism

Emphasizes diversity and opposes forced assimilation.

Ideology

A set of beliefs that shapes political views.

Conservatives

Favor tradition, lower taxes, free markets.

Liberals

Support social tolerance, stronger government programs.

Libertarians

Favor minimal government in all areas.

Democracy

Government by the people through elections and compromise.

Liberty

Core value focusing on freedom of speech, religion, and assembly.

Equality

Equality of opportunity and political equality are key, though material equality is less emphasized.

Participatory Democracy

Citizens are directly involved in making choices about policy

Pluralist Democracy

Organized groups compete with others to influence policy and no single group dominates the political process

Elite Democracy

some citizens (such as the wealthy or better educated) have a disproportionate influence over government policy