AP Gov Unit 2 Terms

Federalist Papers

1. Federalist 70 (by Alexander Hamilton)
   
   

   • Key Ideas:

     • Advocates for a strong, energetic executive.

     • Argues that a single president is more effective than a plural executive (multiple people in charge).

     • Emphasizes the importance of decisiveness in the executive, suggesting that a strong president can act swiftly and efficiently, which is necessary in times of national crisis.

     • Stresses the need for accountability and that a unitary executive is easier to monitor and hold accountable.

     • Highlights the importance of energy in the executive branch for a functioning government.

2. Federalist 78 (by Alexander Hamilton)
   
   

   • Key Ideas:

     • Focuses on the judiciary's independence and the importance of life tenure for judges to avoid political pressures.

     • Argues that the judiciary is the weakest branch of government and that it has "neither force nor will, but merely judgment."

     • Emphasizes that courts should have the power of judicial review to ensure laws are consistent with the Constitution.

     • The judiciary should act as a check on legislative and executive powers, thus protecting individual rights.

Big Ideas

1. Roles of the President and Staff

• Formal Roles:
  
  

  • Chief Executive: Enforces laws, executive orders, and manages the federal bureaucracy.

  • Commander-in-Chief: Leads the military.

  • Chief Diplomat: Manages foreign relations and negotiates treaties (with Senate approval).

  • Chief Legislator: Influences the legislative agenda, signs bills, or vetoes them.

  • Head of State: Symbolic leader of the nation.

  • Economic Leader: Oversees the nation’s economic policy.

  • Party Leader: Leads their political party.

• Staff: Includes the Cabinet, White House staff, Chief of Staff, and National Security Council.
  
  

2. Constitutional Requirements for the President

• Must be at least 35 years old.

• A natural-born citizen of the United States.

• Must have been a resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years.

3. Informal vs. Formal Powers of the President

• Formal Powers: Defined by the Constitution (e.g., veto power, commander-in-chief, treaty-making).

• Informal Powers: Not explicitly stated but inferred (e.g., executive orders, executive agreements, issuing signing statements, influencing public opinion).

4. Executive Orders vs. Executive Agreements

• Executive Orders: Directives issued by the president that have the force of law but do not require Congressional approval.

• Executive Agreements: International agreements made by the president without Senate approval, typically concerning routine matters.

5. Checks on the Executive, Bureaucracy, and Judiciary

• Executive: Can be checked by Congress (e.g., impeachment, overriding vetoes), Judiciary (e.g., judicial review).

• Bureaucracy: Can be checked by Congress (e.g., budget control, oversight), President (e.g., appointments).

• Judiciary: Can be checked by Congress (e.g., altering the structure of courts), Executive (e.g., presidential appointments).

6. Impeachment Process

• Initiated in the House of Representatives by a majority vote.

• If passed, the case moves to the Senate, where a trial is held.

• The president can be removed from office by a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate.

7. Relationship Between the President, Press, and Public Opinion

• The media plays a key role in shaping public perceptions of the president.

• Presidents rely on public opinion for political support, particularly during times of crisis or when trying to pass legislation.

• Press conferences, social media, and public addresses are key tools presidents use to communicate with the public.

8. Shifts in Presidential Power and Attempts to Limit

• Over time, presidential power has expanded, particularly in foreign policy and national security.

• War Powers Resolution (1973) attempts to limit the president’s ability to engage in military action without Congressional approval.

9. Steps to Presidential Nominations

• Primaries and Caucuses: Voters select their preferred candidates for the general election.

• National Conventions: Party delegates formally nominate the candidate.

• General Election: Voters select the president indirectly through the Electoral College.

10. How the Electoral College Works

• Each state has electors equal to its number of Congressional representatives (Senators and House members).

• Winner-takes-all system in most states, except in Maine and Nebraska.

• A candidate needs a majority of electoral votes (270 out of 538) to win the presidency.

11. Purpose and Function of the Bureaucracy

• Implements and enforces federal laws.

• Consists of various agencies and departments (e.g., FBI, EPA).

• Provides expertise and continuity in policy-making.

12. Discretionary Authority

• The ability of bureaucrats to make choices regarding the best way to implement laws.

13. Oversight

• Congress conducts oversight of the executive branch through hearings and investigations to ensure laws are being executed properly.

14. Iron Triangles

• The relationship between Congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that work together to shape policy and benefit each other.

15. Federal Court Set-Up

• District Courts: The trial courts where federal cases begin.

• Circuit Courts: Intermediate appellate courts that hear appeals from district courts.

• Supreme Court: The highest court with the power of judicial review.

16. Supreme Court Basics / Role of Ideology

• The Supreme Court is composed of 9 justices, and its decisions shape constitutional law.

• Ideology influences judicial decisions, as justices may interpret the Constitution through different philosophical lenses (e.g., liberal, conservative, originalist, living constitutionalist).

17. Judicial Activism vs. Judicial Restraint

• Judicial Activism: Judges interpret the Constitution in a way that reflects modern values and may involve striking down laws or executive actions.

• Judicial Restraint: Judges limit their power, deferring to the legislative and executive branches unless there is a clear violation of the Constitution.

18. Role of Stare Decisis

• The principle of stare decisis means courts generally follow precedents set by previous decisions, ensuring legal stability and consistency.