AP US Government Exam Notes

Direct Democracy vs. Representative Democracy

  • Direct Democracy: Citizens vote directly on government decisions.
  • Representative Democracy: Citizens elect representatives to make government policy decisions on their behalf.
  • Elite Democracy: Political power is held by a small number of elites who influence decisions through financial and organizational resources.
    • Large organizations wield disproportionate power, influenced by funding.

Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy (15-22% of the Exam)

  • Constitutionalism: Principles and documents that shape American democracy, including the Constitution, Federalist Papers, and Declaration of Independence.
  • Liberty and Order: Balancing governmental power with individual rights; essential for maintaining both governance and freedom.
  • Evolution of Representative Democracy: Characterized by limited government subject to the will of the people (popular sovereignty).
Key Concepts
  • Security and Power: Debates over federal vs. state power.
  • Popular Sovereignty: Authority rests with the people, as articulated in the Declaration of Independence.
  • Pluralist Democracy: Diverse and competing interest groups influence policy and representation.
  • Participatory Democracy: Citizens actively engage in forming policies and laws, contrasting with majority rule in direct democracy, which can suppress minority rights.

The Declaration of Independence

  • Authored by: Thomas Jefferson.
  • Key Principles:
    • Inalienable rights: Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness.
    • Consent of the governed: Governments derive authority from the people's approval.

Articles of Confederation

  • First government framework, emphasizing state sovereignty and a weak central government.
  • Key weaknesses include:
    • No executive branch or federal taxing power.
    • Inability to regulate interstate commerce.
    • Required a supermajority (9 of 13 states) to pass laws.
  • Shays’ Rebellion: Highlighted the need for a stronger federal government due to its inability to address economic unrest.

Constitutional Convention

  • Purpose: Revise the Articles of Confederation; resulted in drafting the Constitution (1787).
  • Compromises:
    • New Jersey Plan: Equal representation for small states; unicameral legislature.
    • Virginia Plan: Population-based representation; bicameral legislature.
    • Connecticut Compromise: Combination into a bicameral Congress (House and Senate).
    • 3/5 Compromise: Counted slaves as 3/5 of a person for representation.
    • Electoral College: Established for presidential elections, balancing populous and less populous states.

Foundations of the Constitution

  • Emphasizes separation of powers between branches of government.
  • Checks and Balances: Each branch has power to limit the others, ensuring that no single branch becomes too powerful.
    • Examples include presidential veto, congressional override, and judicial review.

Federalism

  • Division of power between national and state governments.
    • Dual Federalism: Layer-cake model where levels are distinct (1789-1932).
    • Cooperative Federalism: Marble-cake model where all levels work together on issues.

Federal Powers

  • Enumerated Powers: Explicitly stated powers of the federal government.
  • Implied Powers: Derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause, allowing flexibility in governance.
  • Concurrent Powers: Shared by federal and state governments (taxation, law enforcement).
  • Denied Powers: Certain powers not allowed to federal and state governments to prevent abuse (e.g., suspension of habeas corpus).

Judicial Branch Overview

  • Constitution establishes: The Supreme Court's authority and framework for lower federal courts.
  • Judicial Review: The power of courts to assess the constitutionality of laws (as established in Marbury v. Madison).
  • Court Structure:
    • District Courts: Generally the first level of federal court.
    • Circuit Courts: Handle appeals from district courts.
    • Supreme Court: Highest court with final jurisdiction.
Landmark Cases and Their Impact
  • McCulloch v. Maryland: Affirmed federal supremacy and implied powers.
  • Engel v. Vitale: Declared school-sponsored prayer unconstitutional, reinforcing the Establishment Clause.
  • Brown v. Board of Education: Declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause.

Amendments to the Constitution

  • Key Amendments:
    • 1st Amendment: Protects freedoms of speech, religion, assembly, petition.
    • 14th Amendment: Guarantees equal protection under the law and due process.
    • 19th Amendment: Grants women the right to vote.
The Examination of Public Opinion
  • Importance in shaping policies and electoral outcomes.
  • Differentiation between latent (immediate) and stable opinions!
Political Ideologies and Beliefs
  • Conservative vs. Liberal Ideologies: Divide over economic regulations, social freedoms, and government size.
  • Impact of political socialization on shaping beliefs among citizens.