AP Government Unit 1
1. Ideology
Core Beliefs/Morals: Core beliefs or morals that guide an individual's views on politics and society.
How It Changes: Socialization influences ideology through factors such as religion, personal experiences, and culture.
2. Party Identity
Definition: The political party that aligns most closely with an individual’s moral and legal views.
How It Changes: Party identity can shift based on the candidates that run for office and their platforms.
3. Ideologies of the Founding Fathers
Natural Rights: Rights are inherent and not granted by the government; the government's role is to protect them.
Popular Sovereignty: Government legitimacy comes from the consent of the governed, not divine right.
Social Contract: People agree to limit some rights to live peacefully in society.
Republicanism: Government should be representative, elected by the people.
4. Issues with Ideologies
Social Contract: Balancing how many natural rights should be relinquished for social order.
Popular Sovereignty: Risks of tyranny of the majority in a direct democracy.
Republicanism: Ensuring representatives act in the public's interest and are not tyrannical.
5. Solutions
Limited Government: A government with defined limits to protect rights without being tyrannical.
Participatory Democracy: Broad participation in political processes, favoring popular sovereignty.
Pluralist Democracy: Groups influence policy by aggregating interests and ideas.
Elite Democracy: Limited public involvement, with elected elites making decisions.
6. Articles of Confederation
Basic Functions: Maintain order, provide for trade, respond to emergencies, protect borders, and resolve disputes.
Weaknesses: No power to tax, no military, no national court system, no role in interstate commerce, no ability to coin money.
Structural Issues: State-appointed delegates, high voting thresholds, and unanimous consent for amendments.
Shays' Rebellion: Highlighted the need for a stronger federal government.
7. Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
Federalists: Advocated for a stronger central government with checks and balances; supported the Constitution.
Anti-Federalists: Feared centralization of power and loss of state autonomy; demanded more protections for individual rights.
8. Federalist and Anti-Federalist Views
Brutus 1: Argued against a strong centralized government fearing loss of liberty.
Fed 10: James Madison argued that a strong central government could better manage factions and prevent tyranny.
9. Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances
Three Branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches each with distinct powers and responsibilities.
Purpose: Prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful, ensuring a balanced government.
Federalist 51: James Madison’s framework for checks and balances to safeguard against corruption and abuse of power.
1. Ideology
Core Beliefs/Morals: Core beliefs or morals that guide an individual's views on politics and society.
How It Changes: Socialization influences ideology through factors such as religion, personal experiences, and culture.
2. Party Identity
Definition: The political party that aligns most closely with an individual’s moral and legal views.
How It Changes: Party identity can shift based on the candidates that run for office and their platforms.
3. Ideologies of the Founding Fathers
Natural Rights: Rights are inherent and not granted by the government; the government's role is to protect them.
Popular Sovereignty: Government legitimacy comes from the consent of the governed, not divine right.
Social Contract: People agree to limit some rights to live peacefully in society.
Republicanism: Government should be representative, elected by the people.
4. Issues with Ideologies
Social Contract: Balancing how many natural rights should be relinquished for social order.
Popular Sovereignty: Risks of tyranny of the majority in a direct democracy.
Republicanism: Ensuring representatives act in the public's interest and are not tyrannical.
5. Solutions
Limited Government: A government with defined limits to protect rights without being tyrannical.
Participatory Democracy: Broad participation in political processes, favoring popular sovereignty.
Pluralist Democracy: Groups influence policy by aggregating interests and ideas.
Elite Democracy: Limited public involvement, with elected elites making decisions.
6. Articles of Confederation
Basic Functions: Maintain order, provide for trade, respond to emergencies, protect borders, and resolve disputes.
Weaknesses: No power to tax, no military, no national court system, no role in interstate commerce, no ability to coin money.
Structural Issues: State-appointed delegates, high voting thresholds, and unanimous consent for amendments.
Shays' Rebellion: Highlighted the need for a stronger federal government.
7. Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
Federalists: Advocated for a stronger central government with checks and balances; supported the Constitution.
Anti-Federalists: Feared centralization of power and loss of state autonomy; demanded more protections for individual rights.
8. Federalist and Anti-Federalist Views
Brutus 1: Argued against a strong centralized government fearing loss of liberty.
Fed 10: James Madison argued that a strong central government could better manage factions and prevent tyranny.
9. Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances
Three Branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches each with distinct powers and responsibilities.
Purpose: Prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful, ensuring a balanced government.
Federalist 51: James Madison’s framework for checks and balances to safeguard against corruption and abuse of power.
