AP US Government and Politics 1st Semester Exam Review
AP US Government and Politics 1st Semester Exam Review
Unit I - Constitutionalism
Mod. 1 - Foundations of Government
Models of Representative Democracy
Participatory Democracy: Emphasizes broad participation of constituents in the democratic process.
Elite Democracy: Focuses on the influence of a small number of powerful individuals and organizations in shaping political outcomes.
Pluralistic Democracy: Highlights the role of diverse groups in influencing policy and decision-making.
Majoritarian Politics: Centers on majority rule and majority preference, where government acts according to the majority view.
Mod. 2 - Founding and The Constitution
The Declaration of Independence
Natural Rights: Rights inherent to all individuals, ungiven by government, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Self-Government: The belief that individuals have the right to govern themselves, reflecting popular sovereignty.
Right to Revolt: The assertion that people may overthrow a government that does not protect their rights.
Articles of Confederation
Structure and Powers of Congress: Established a unicameral legislature with limited powers.
Problems with the Articles: Weak central government unable to tax or regulate commerce, leading to economic turmoil.
Shays’ Rebellion: Armed uprising (1786-1787) protesting economic injustices and lack of governmental response, highlighting the Articles' weaknesses.
The Constitutional Convention
Key Plans and Compromises of the Convention:
The Virginia Plan: Proposed a strong central government based on population.
The New Jersey Plan: Advocated for equal representation regardless of population.
The Great Compromise: Combined both plans creating a bicameral legislature.
The Principles of the Constitution:
Limited Government: Government powers are restricted by law.
Popular Sovereignty: Authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.
Separation of Powers: Division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.
Checks and Balances: Mechanisms put in place to prevent any one branch from dominating.
Principle and Actual Checks: Different branches have the ability to check each other’s power (e.g., veto power).
Federalism: The distribution of power between the national and state governments.
Judicial Review: The Supreme Court's authority to invalidate legislation and executive actions that are contrary to the Constitution.
The Federalists and Anti-Federalists:
The Bill of Rights: First ten amendments that guarantee individual liberties and limit government power.
Federalist No. 51 and Brutus I: Readings that discuss the necessity of checks and balances (Federalist) versus concerns about individual rights and central government (Brutus).
Structure and Purpose of Constitutional Articles: The articles layout the framework of the government, delineating powers and responsibilities.
Mod. 3 - Federalism
The Levels of Power
Enumerated: Powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution.
Concurrent: Powers shared by both federal and state governments.
Reserved: Powers that are specifically not delegated to the federal government and are reserved to the states.
Constitutional Responsibilities
National > State: National laws shall prevail over state laws (Supremacy).
State > National: States can enforce laws that do not conflict with federal laws.
State > State: Principles like the Full Faith and Credit Clause ensure states honor the laws and judicial proceedings of other states.
Fiscal Federalism
Types of Grants:
Categorical Grants: Funds provided for a specific purpose with restrictions.
Block Grants: Funds provided for broader purposes with fewer restrictions.
Balance of power between the state and national government: Examines how funding and mandates affect the relationship between different levels of government.
Key Court Cases
McCulloch v. Maryland: Established the principle of implied powers and reinforced the supremacy of federal over state law.
United States v. Lopez: Limited the powers of the federal government under the Commerce Clause.
10th Amendment and 14th Amendment:
10th Amendment: Reinforces the federal structure by reserving powers not delegated to the national government to the states or the people.
14th Amendment: Grants citizenship and equal protection under the law, influencing civil rights and liberties.
Does Federalism promote democracy?:
Points of discussion regarding whether the decentralized nature of federalism enhances or detracts from democratic governance.
Key Constitutional Provisions
Necessary and Proper Clause: Grants Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers.
Supremacy Clause: Establishes that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land.
Full Faith and Credit: Requires states to honor the public acts and judicial proceedings of other states.
Privileges and Immunities: Ensures that citizens are granted the same rights and privileges in all states.
Unit II - Political Behavior
Mod 4 - Political Socialization and Ideology
Sources of Political Socialization: Family, education, peers, media, and religious institutions.
Elements of American Political Culture: Individualism, equality, democracy, civic duty, and rule of law.
Common Beliefs of American Liberals and Conservatives:
Liberals typically believe in government action to achieve equal opportunity and equality for all.
Conservatives often emphasize personal responsibility, limited government, and free markets.
Libertarianism and Authoritarianism:
Libertarianism advocates for minimal state intervention in the personal and economic lives of individuals.
Authoritarianism entails strong central power and limited political freedoms.
How Political Ideologies Shape Policy Making: Ideologies impact the policy agenda and the types of laws passed by influencing legislators' beliefs and the electorate's expectations.
Mod 5 - Measuring Public Opinion
Types of Polls:
Opinion polls, tracking polls, exit polls, and push polls.
Polling Methods: Sampling techniques, random digit dialing, and online polling.
Problems in Polling:
Bradley Effect: Phenomenon where people do not report their true feelings in poll responses due to fear of judgment, resulting in inaccurate polling results.
Leading Questions: Questions that prompt or encourage a particular response.
Unit III - Political Participation
Mod 6 - Linkage Institutions
Political Parties
Types of Major and Minor Parties: Major parties include Democrats and Republicans; minor parties include third parties such as the Green or Libertarian parties.
Roles of Political Parties: Organizing elections, mobilizing voters, shaping policy, and providing a platform for candidates.
Political Party Structure: National, state, and local levels; includes party organizations and committees.
Development of the 2 Party System: Historical development from early factions to the stable two-party system we see today.
Limits on 3rd Party Success: Issues such as plurality voting, lack of media coverage, and funding barriers.
Views of Democrats and Republicans: Differences in platform regarding economic and social issues.
Interest Groups
Types of Interest Groups: Economic interest groups, public interest groups, and governmental groups.
Interest Group Roles and Strategies:
Lobbying: Engaging with lawmakers to influence legislation.
Electioneering: Actively engaging in the election process to support candidates.
Litigation: Using the courts to achieve policy objectives.
Going Public: Utilizing media and public campaigns to influence opinion and policy.
Iron Triangles and Issue Networks:
Iron Triangles: The stable, mutually beneficial relationships among government agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees.
Issue Networks: More fluid and dynamic coalitions of various groups and individuals around specific policy issues.
The Media
Roles of the Media: Informing the public, serving as a watchdog, and facilitating public debate.
Types of Media: Print media, broadcast media, and digital media.
Trends in Media Usage: Shift towards online platforms and social media as primary sources of news.
Problems in the Media: Media bias, misinformation, and ownership concentration affecting impartiality.
Mod 7 - Voting and Elections
VAP vs VEP:
Voting Age Population (VAP): Total number of citizens eligible to vote.
Voting Eligible Population (VEP): Number of citizens who are actually eligible to vote, considering factors like disenfranchisement and voter restrictions.
Who Votes?
Major Demographic Trends: Analysis of voting patterns among different age, race, and gender groups.
Party Identification among Who Votes: Examination of how party affiliation influences voting behavior.
Voting Rights:
Overview of legislation and amendments that have expanded voting rights, including the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
How States Impact Voter Turnout:
Factors such as registration processes, voting technology, and state laws that enhance or suppress voter turnout.
Types of Federal Elections
Qualifications for Major Offices: Requirements across local, state, and federal levels for candidates running for public office.
Steps in the Election Process:
Primaries and Caucuses: Mechanisms for selecting party nominees.
Conventions: Official gatherings of political parties to nominate their candidates.
General Election: The final election in which voters select officeholders.
Modern Campaigns:
Strategies: Campaign tactics used to reach voters effectively.
Fundraising:
PACs: Political Action Committees that raise and spend money to elect candidates.
527s: Organizations that influence elections without directly advocating for a candidate.
Super PACs: Independent-expenditure-only committees that can raise unlimited funds for express advocacy.
Citizens United v. FEC: Landmark case that ruled that political spending by corporations and unions is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment, leading to significant changes in campaign finance.