AP Gov Fall Final Study Guide

For Mr. Abe's Class

Dual Federalism

A system where state and federal governments operate independently in their spheres of influence.

Cooperative Federalism

A system where state and federal governments work together on shared responsibilities and policies.

Federalist 51

An essay by James Madison that argues for the necessity of checks and balances in government to prevent tyranny.

Main Ideas of the Declaration of Independence

• All men are created equal.

• People have unalienable rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness).

• Governments derive power from the consent of the governed.

• Right to alter or abolish an oppressive government.

Main Points of the Articles of Confederation

• Weak central government; most power with the states.

• No executive or judicial branch.

• Congress couldn't tax or regulate commerce.

• Inability to enforce laws, raise revenue, or maintain a standing army.

Federalism

Power is shared between federal and state governments, with the federal government being supreme (Supremacy Clause).

Advantages of federalism

Encourages policy experimentation, allows for diversity in governance, and enhances citizen participation.

Disadvantages of federalism

Can lead to inefficiencies, potential for conflict between state and federal laws, and may create inequalities in resources and services.

Elite Theory

A small, powerful elite controls government and policy.

Pluralist Theory

Policy results from competition and compromise among diverse interest groups.

Compromises at the Constitutional Convention

• Great Compromise: Bicameral legislature with equal Senate representation and proportional House representation.

• 3/5 Compromise: Enslaved individuals counted as 3/5 of a person for representation and taxation.

• Electoral College for presidential elections.

Brutus 1 (Concerns)

• Fear of a strong federal government overpowering states.

• Concern about the lack of a Bill of Rights.

• Belief that a large republic would be too disconnected from the people.

Unfunded Mandates

Federal requirements imposed on states without funding (e.g., Americans with Disabilities Act, Clean Air Act).

Block Grants

Federal funds given to states with broad discretion in spending (e.g., education, healthcare).

Categorical Grants

Federal funds provided for specific purposes, often with strict requirements (e.g., highway construction, school lunches).

Factions

Groups of people with shared interests, often at odds with others.

Dangers of factions

Can lead to tyranny of the majority.

Solutions for factions

A large republic, as argued in Federalist 10, dilutes their influence.

The Importance of Language in Polling

Wording of questions can bias responses or misrepresent public opinion.

General Views of the Republican Party/Conservatives

• Smaller government, lower taxes, free market.

• Emphasis on individual responsibility, traditional values, and strong national defense.

General Views of the Democratic Party/Liberals

• Larger government role in social welfare and regulation.

• Focus on equality, environmental protection, and civil rights.

Limited Government

Supported by conservatives/libertarians; emphasizes minimal government intervention in personal and economic matters.

Supply-Side Economics

Economic theory that lower taxes and deregulation encourage investment and growth, leading to job creation.

Problems with Polling

Sampling errors, nonresponse bias, and poorly worded questions can distort results.

Federal System of Government

Power is divided between national and state governments (e.g., U.S.).

Unitary System of Government

Central government holds all power, with local governments existing at its discretion (e.g., France).

McCulloch v. Maryland

• Issue: Can states tax federal institutions?

• Outcome: Established federal supremacy and upheld the Necessary and Proper Clause. (Gives Congress the authority to pass laws that are "necessary and proper”)

US v. Lopez

Limited Congress's use of the Commerce Clause; ruled that gun-free school zones are not economic activity.

Marbury v. Madison

Established judicial review, allowing courts to strike down unconstitutional laws.

Article I, Section 8

• Lists Congressional powers (e.g., tax, coin money, regulate commerce).

• Necessary and Proper Clause: Allows Congress to make laws needed to execute its powers.

Clauses

• Full Faith and Credit Clause: States must respect other states' laws and judicial rulings.

• Supremacy Clause: Federal law is the "supreme law of the land."

• Commerce Clause: Grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce.

Article II

Defines executive powers and responsibilities (e.g., Commander-in-Chief, treaties, appointments).

Article III

• Establishes the judicial branch and the Supreme Court.

• Life Tenure: Ensures independence and protection from political pressures.

Federalist 10

James Madison argued for a large republic to control factions and protect minority rights.

Political Socialization

Influenced by family, education, peers, media, and religion.

Characteristics of American Political Culture

Liberty, equality, democracy, individualism, civic duty, and free enterprise.

Voting Trends

• Men: More Republican.

• Women: More Democratic.

• Black: Strongly Democratic.

• White: Split, leaning Republican.

• Hispanic: Lean Democratic.

• Young: Democratic.

• Older: Republican.

Electoral College

• Electors based on state representation.

• Winner of state popular vote gets all electors (except ME and NE).

• Majority (270 votes) needed to win presidency.

Compromise

Agreements made during the Constitutional Convention to resolve conflicts (e.g., Great Compromise, 3/5 Compromise).

Linkage Institutions

Structures that connect people to the government (e.g., political parties, elections, interest groups, media).

Presidential System

A system of government where the executive branch is separate from the legislature and is led by a president.

Parliamentary System

A system of government where the executive is chosen by and part of the legislature, often led by a prime minister.

Dictatorship

A form of government where power is concentrated in the hands of one leader or a small group, often obtained by force.

Direct Democracy

Citizens directly participate in decision-making without representatives (e.g., town hall meetings).

Republic

A representative democracy where citizens elect officials to govern on their behalf.

Aristocracy

A form of government where power is held by the nobility or elite.

Federal Government

Power is divided between national and state governments.

Unitary Government

All governmental power resides at the national level.

Confederate Government

An alliance of independent states with a weak central authority.

State

A political entity with sovereignty, a defined territory, and a government.

Government

The system or group of people governing an organized community, often a state.

Sovereignty

The supreme authority of a state to govern itself without external interference.

Anarchy

Absence of government or authority, often leading to disorder.

Baron de Montesquieu

A French political philosopher known for his theory of the separation of powers, which influenced the structure of modern democratic governments.

Spirit of Laws

A work by Baron de Montesquieu that outlines the principles of political theory, particularly the separation of powers and checks and balances.

John Locke

Enlightenment thinker who emphasized natural rights (life, liberty, property) and the social contract.

Two Treatises on Government

A work by John Locke that argues against absolute monarchy and outlines his ideas on natural rights and limited government power.

Rousseau

A French philosopher known for his work "The Social Contract," which discusses the concepts of general will and popular sovereignty.

Social Contract

The idea that people give up some freedoms in exchange for security and order provided by government.

Hyperpluralism

The idea that too many competing interest groups weaken government effectiveness.

Madisonian Model

A system of government with separation of powers, checks and balances, and limited majority control.

Federalist 51 (Main Points)

• Advocates for separation of powers and checks and balances.

• Argues that ambition must counteract ambition to prevent tyranny.

Federalist 10 (Main Points)

• Warns about the dangers of factions.

• Argues that a large republic can control factions better than a small one.

How the Constitution Was Organized

• Preamble: Outlines purposes.

• Articles: Define government structure.

• Amendments: 27 changes, including the Bill of Rights.

Bill of Rights

First 10 Amendments guaranteeing individual liberties and rights.

Virginia Plan

Representation based on population; favored large states.

New Jersey Plan

Equal representation for all states; favored small states.

Connecticut (Great) Compromise

Bicameral legislature: House (population-based) and Senate (equal representation).

3/5ths Compromise

Enslaved individuals counted as 3/5 of a person for representation and taxation.

Amending the Constitution (Formal and Informal)

• Formal: Proposal by Congress or national convention; ratification by states.

• Informal: Interpretation changes (e.g., judicial review, societal shifts).

Three Branches of Government

• Legislative: Makes laws (Congress).

• Executive: Enforces laws (President).

• Judicial: Interprets laws (Courts).

Checks and Balances

• Legislative checks Executive by overriding vetoes, impeachment.

• Executive checks Legislative with veto power.

• Judicial checks both by declaring laws/actions unconstitutional.

Federalist Papers (Writers and Importance)

• Writers: Hamilton, Madison, Jay.

• Importance: Advocated for Constitution ratification and explained its principles.

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

• Federalists: Supported the Constitution, strong central government.

• Anti-Federalists: Opposed the Constitution, wanted states’ rights and a Bill of Rights.

Formal Ways to Amend the Constitution

1. 2/3 vote in Congress + 3/4 state legislature approval.

2. Constitutional convention called by 2/3 of states + 3/4 state legislature approval.

Informal Ways to Amend the Constitution

Judicial interpretation, social/cultural changes, executive actions, legislative actions.

How the Constitution Can Be Amended

Either formally or informally through interpretation and practice.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Article IV, Section 1 of the Constitution requires states to recognize and respect the laws, records, and judicial rulings of other states (e.g., marriage licenses, court decisions).

Expressed Powers

Powers specifically granted to Congress in the Constitution (e.g., coin money, declare war).

Inherent Powers

Powers the national government has because it is a sovereign state (e.g., control immigration, acquire territory).

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated but necessary to execute expressed powers (via the Necessary and Proper Clause).

Reserved Powers

Powers not delegated to the federal government, reserved for the states (10th Amendment).

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both state and federal governments (e.g., taxing, law enforcement).

Commerce Clause

Article I, Section 8 gives Congress the power to regulate trade between states and with foreign nations. Often used to expand federal power.

Federal Mandate

Federal requirements imposed on state governments, often tied to funding (e.g., Clean Air Act).

Devolution (Revolution)

The transfer of power from the federal government back to the states, often associated with policies of the Reagan Administration.

Charles Beard’s Framing the Constitution

Argued the Constitution was written primarily to protect the economic interests of the wealthy elite rather than democratic ideals.

Article I

Legislative Branch (powers and structure of Congress).

Article II

Executive Branch (powers and duties of the President).

Article III

Judicial Branch (powers of the courts).

Article IV

State Relations (interstate relations and federal-state obligations).

Article V

Amendment Process (how the Constitution can be amended).

Article VI

Supremacy Clause (federal laws are supreme).

Article VII

Ratification (process for ratifying the Constitution).

Liberal

Political ideology favoring government involvement in social programs, environmental protection, civil rights, and economic regulation.

What would Liberals support?

Universal healthcare, progressive taxation, gun control, climate change action, reproductive rights.

Conservative

Political ideology favoring limited government, traditional values, and free-market solutions.

What would Conservatives support?

Lower taxes, reduced government spending, gun rights, stricter immigration laws, traditional marriage.

Moderate

Individuals with a mix of liberal and conservative views, often avoiding extreme positions.

Classical Liberalism

18th-century ideology emphasizing limited government, individual rights, and free markets.