American Gov CLEP Final Exam Review Notes

Final Exam Review Notes for American Gov CLEP

The Constitution

  • Influences on the Constitution:

    • Enlightenment thinkers:

    • John Locke: Advocated for natural rights (life, liberty, property).

    • Montesquieu: Promoted the idea of separation of powers.

    • Articles of Confederation: First governing document, resulted in a weak central government.

    • Shays' Rebellion: Indicated weaknesses of the Articles due to lack of a strong military and central authority.

Separation of Powers

  • Definition: Divides government responsibilities among branches to prevent the concentration of power.

  • Examples of Separation of Powers:

    • Congress: Can declare war and create laws.

    • President: Serves as commander in chief and enforces laws.

  • Jefferson's Wall of Separation: Concept emphasizing the separation of church and state, though not explicitly stated in the Constitution.

Checks and Balances

  • Purpose: To ensure no single branch becomes too powerful.

  • Key Examples:

    • Congress can impeach the president (impeachment = charges, does not imply removal).

    • Senate confirms Supreme Court justices (requires a simple majority of 51 votes).

    • Supreme Court interpretation does not extend to declaring amendments unconstitutional.

Federalism

  • Definition: Division of power between federal and state governments.

  • Tenth Amendment: Reserved powers for states that are not delegated to the federal government.

  • Elastic Clause: Allows Congress to make all laws necessary and proper; enabled Hamilton to establish the Bank of the United States.

  • Cooperative Federalism: Shared powers between state and federal governments; example includes law enforcement.

  • Devolution: Transferring powers back to states (emphasized during Reagan's presidency).

  • Grants: Forms of federal assistance with types including:

    • Categorical Grants: Project-based; application required.

    • Formula Grants: Distributed based on a specific formula (e.g., Medicaid).

    • Block Grants: Given with discretion to states.

    • Mandates: Federal requirements imposed on states (e.g., Americans with Disabilities Act).

  • Diverse Policies: Federalism allows variation in state laws (education, gun laws).

Miscellaneous Constitution Information

  • Primary Responsibility: Protect private property.

  • Voting Requirements: Left to states, leading to practices like poll taxes and literacy tests.

  • Electoral Process:

    • Citizens vote for House members and, post-Seventeenth Amendment, senators.

    • The Electoral College elects the president.

  • Commerce Clause: Federal regulation of commerce affects the power dynamic favoring the federal government.

  • Amending the Constitution: Involves both state and federal processes.

Theories of Government

  • Pluralism: Groups (interest groups) can influence public policy; seen as beneficial for democracy.

  • Elitism: A belief that wealthy individuals wield the most influence over political decisions.

  • Hyperpluralism: Too many competing groups lead to governmental gridlock.

  • Federalists vs. Anti-federalists: Debates over Constitution ratification led to differing views on the scope of government powers.

  • Federalist No. 10: Written by James Madison, it addresses faction control in large republics.

The Electoral College

  • Definition: Mechanism for electing the president.

  • Voting Dynamics:

    • Winner-take-all system (except Maine and Nebraska).

    • Candidate winning popular votes in a state gains all electoral votes.

  • Importance of Swing States: Receive more campaign focus due to unpredictability (e.g., Ohio).

  • Majority Requirement: 270 electoral votes needed; if not achieved, House of Representatives chooses the president.

  • Encouragement of a Two-Party System: Majority needed fosters bipartisanship.

Primaries

  • Types of Primaries:

    • Open Primary: No party registration required for voting.

    • Closed Primary: Only registered party members can vote.

    • Majority Election: Candidate must exceed 50% of the votes.

    • Plurality Election: The candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of majority.

Political Party Dynamics

  • Divided Government: Control of Congress and presidency by different parties leads to legislative difficulties.

  • Political Parties in the Constitution: Not explicitly mentioned; they operate independently at various levels.

Interest Groups

  • Definition: Groups aimed at influencing public policy.

  • Examples: NRA, AARP.

  • Methods of Influence: Lobbying, providing legislative information, drafting proposals.

  • Difference from Political Parties: Interest groups do not nominate candidates, they support preferred candidates whom align with their interests.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

  • Definition: Organizations that raise and distribute funds for campaigns.

  • Limitations on Donations: $5,000 per candidate for primary and general elections; individuals limited to $5,000 per PAC annually.

Political Socialization

  • Definition: The process through which individuals form their political beliefs.

  • Main Influencers: Family, education, and media.

  • Trends in Voting Behavior: Older and more educated individuals tend to vote more; African Americans predominantly vote Democratic.

Media Influence

  • Focus Area: Day-to-day candidate activities rather than policy platforms.

  • Horse Race Journalism: Focus on polls over substantive policy issues.

Iron Triangles

  • Definition: The relationship between Congress, executive agencies, and interest groups that influence policy-making.

  • Impact on Legislation: Iron triangles shape governmental policies and decision-making.

Legislative Process

  • Bill Passage: Long and complex, often reliant on compromises; most bills do not reach a vote.

  • Incumbency Effect: Current officeholders have advantages in reelection, including funding opportunities and name recognition.

  • Congressional Oversight: Congress reviews federal agencies, holds hearings, and influences funding.

  • Committees: Powerful tools in the legislative process; standing, conference, rules, and subcommittees play distinct roles in bill management.

The House of Representatives

  • Unique Powers: Initiate revenue bills, impeach federal officials.

  • Membership Dynamics: Based on state population; representatives drawn through state legislature processes.

  • Gerrymandering: Manipulating district boundaries to favor one party.

The Senate

  • Unique Powers: Confirm appointments, approve treaties, serve as jury in impeachments.

  • Filibuster: A tactic to delay or block legislation.

  • Cloture Motion: Procedure to end a filibuster, requiring 60 votes.

The Executive Branch

  • Presidential Powers: Appoint federal judges, veto legislation, act as commander in chief.

  • Limitations: Cannot declare war or exercise a line-item veto.

  • Appointing Judges: Influence by the president based on philosophies and ideology.

The Judicial Branch

  • Supreme Court Powers: Often select cases for review; majority needed from justices to hear cases.

  • Significant Court Cases:

    • Marbury v. Madison: Established judicial review.

    • McCullough v. Maryland: Confirmed federal supremacy.

    • Plessy v. Ferguson: Upheld segregation (overturned by Brown v. Board).

    • Miranda v. Arizona: Established the Miranda rights.

Constitutional Amendments

  • Key Amendments:

    • First Amendment: Protects free expression.

    • Fourteenth Amendment: Guarantees equal protection and citizenship rights.

    • Fifteenth, Nineteenth, and Twenty-fourth Amendments: Expanded voting rights.

Important Acts & Resolutions

  • Civil Rights Act of 1964: Prohibited discrimination in public accommodations.

  • Voting Rights Act of 1965: Federal oversight in areas of poor minority voter registration.

  • War Powers Act: Limits presidential military engagement without Congressional approval.

Summary of Social Concepts

  • Civil Rights vs. Civil Liberties: Rights protect individuals from discrimination; liberties protect from government action.

  • Coalition Building: Groups unify for common goals.

  • Impact of Divided Government: Often leads to legislative gridlock and difficulty passing laws.

Political Elections

  • Notable Elections:

    • 1932: FDR and The New Deal.

    • 1968: Shift of Southern voters to the Republican Party.

    • 1980: Increase in religious conservatives supporting Republicans.