AP Gov Final Study guide

Articles of Confederation and Their Weaknesses

• Initial governing document of the United States with several weaknesses.

• Lack of strong federal government and inability to enforce laws.

• No executive branch to enforce laws and no national judiciary to resolve disputes.

Essential Cases/Document to Know

• Brown vs Board of Education: landmark Supreme Court case that declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

• Chicago v McDonald: affirmed the Second Amendment's applicability to state and local governments through the Fourteenth Amendment.

• Heller: confirmed individual right to possess firearms unconnected with service in a militia.

• Citizens United: ruled that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts cannot be limited.

• Engel vs Vitale: prohibited the recitation of prayers in public schools, ruling it violates the Establishment Clause.

• Yoder v Wisconsin: established right of parents to educate their children in private schools based on religious beliefs.

• Marbury v Madison: created judicial review, allowing courts to strike down laws that violate the Constitution (Letter not sent in time, does it still count?)

• Gideon v Wainwright: guaranteed the right to counsel for criminal defendants unable to afford an attorney.

• US v Lopez: limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause, ruling that carrying a gun in a school zone is not an economic activity.

• Mcculloch v Maryland: confirmed the supremacy of federal laws over state laws and established the power of Congress through implied powers.

• Baker v Carr: addressed issues of districting and represented the principle of equal representation in the Senate.

• Reno v Shaw: addressed the issues of racial gerrymandering in redistricting.

• New York Times vs US: reaffirmed freedom of the press, preventing prior restraint on publication.

• Schneck v US: established the 'clear and present danger' test for restricting free speech.

• Letter from Birmingham Jail: eloquent defense of the need for civil disobedience.

• Tinker v Des Moines: affirmed students' rights to free speech in schools. (Armband)

• Declaration of Independence: foundational text declaring the principles of liberty and government by consent.

Congress

• Support Mechanisms:

  • Logrolling: reciprocal voting among legislators.

  • Pork Barrel Spending: funding for local projects to gain political support.

  • Earmarking: designating funds for specific projects.

• Judicial Interpretation:

  • Liberal and conservative justices may interpret the Constitution in varied ways, affecting judicial outcomes.

• Roles of Congress Members:

  • Constituent Service: addressing the needs of constituents.

  • Law Making: drafting and passing legislation.

  • Oversight: monitoring other branches of government and implementation of laws.

• Bill Passage Process:

  • Involves several stages, including committee reviews and votes.

• Committee System:

  • Standing Committees: permanent committees focused on specific areas.

  • Committee Function: review and amend proposed legislation.

• Filibuster and Cloture:

  • Filibuster: prolonged speech that obstructs legislative progress.

  • Cloture: a procedure to end a filibuster with a vote.

• Congressional Theories of Representation:

  • Trustee: representatives act in the best interest of constituents.

  • Delegate: representatives mirror the views of their constituents.

  • Politico: blending both approaches depending on the situation.

• Interest Group Strategies:

  • Electioneering: influencing election outcomes via PACs.

  • Litigation: using the courts to influence policy.

  • Going Public: mobilizing public opinion to sway decision-makers.

  • Lobbying: direct interaction with lawmakers to influence legislation.

Iron Triangles

• Understanding the concept of iron triangles, which involves the interplay between bureaucratic agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups in policy-making.

The Constitution

• Amendment Process: how changes to the Constitution are made.

• Equal Protection Clause: prevents discrimination, ensuring all citizens receive equal protection under the law.

• Due Process Clause: ensures fair treatment through the normal judicial system.

• Bill of Rights: the first ten amendments protecting individual liberties.

• Purpose of the 10th Amendment: reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

• Articles I-III: outline the structure and powers of the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches, respectively.

• Supremacy Clause: establishes that federal law takes precedence over state law.

• Checks and Balances: allows each branch to limit the powers of the others.

• Fourth Amendment: protects against unreasonable searches and seizures; includes the exclusionary rule prohibiting illegally obtained evidence.

• First Amendment Rights:

  • Protection of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

  • Time, Place, and Manner Restrictions: regulations that govern when, where, and how speech is expressed.

• Rights Created by the Fifth and Sixth Amendments:

  • Fifth: right to due process and protection against self-incrimination.

  • Sixth: right to a fair trial and legal counsel.

• Constitutional Compromises: agreements made to ensure ratification of the Constitution.

• Selective Incorporation: the process of applying the Bill of Rights to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.

• Federalism: understanding the distribution of power between federal and state governments.

• Concurrent Powers: powers held by both the federal government and state governments.

• State Responsibilities: duties states maintain in a federalist system.

• Definition of a Republic: a government in which representatives are elected by the citizenry.

• Consent of the Governed: the principle that authority of government depends on the consent of the people.

• Types of Democracy:

  • Pluralism: multiple groups compete for power.

  • Elitism: a small group holds the majority of power.

  • Participatory Democracy: emphasizes broad participation in political decisions.

• Federal Judges:

  • Selected by the President and confirmed by the Senate; serve lifetime appointments.

• Media Role:

  • Framing Effect: shaping how issues are perceived.

  • Watchdog Role: overseeing government actions.

Voting Models

• Prospective Voting: basing votes on anticipated future outcomes.

• Retrospective Voting: evaluating the past performance of candidates.

• Party Line Voting: voting strictly along party affiliation.

• Split Ticket Voting: selecting candidates from different parties in the same election.

Constitutional Amendments and Democracy

• 17th Amendment: established direct election of U.S. senators; enhances democracy.

• 19th Amendment: granted women the right to vote; broadening franchise.

• 25th Amendment: clarifies presidential succession and disability protocols.

Political Socialization

• Processes through which individuals acquire political beliefs and values.

• Influences include family, education, media, and social groups.

Voter Demographics

• Voting patterns influenced by race, education, and income.

Election Types

• Difference between Primary (early elections to determine party candidates) and General Elections (final elections to choose officeholders).

• Distinctions between Democratic and Republican party philosophies.

• Role of Third Parties: influence on elections, often addressing issues neglected by major parties.

Executive Branch

• Increasing Presidential Power:

  • Reasons for the expansion of presidential authority, leading to the concept of 'imperial presidency'.

• Presidential Roles: various capacities including chief legislator and commander-in-chief.

• Bureaucracy: its role and powers, including rule-making authority.

• Executive Orders: directives issued by the president to manage federal operations.

• Bully Pulpit: the president’s platform to influence and rally public opinion.

• Cabinet's Role: advisory body to the president comprising heads of executive departments.

• Electoral College: system for electing the president, where the majority of votes determines the outcome in each state.

Key Concepts in Political Theory

• John Locke's Social Contract: theory that governments are formed by the consent of the governed, protecting natural rights.

• Federalist Papers:

  • Federalist No. 10: discusses the dangers of factions and the need for a large republic.

  • Federalist No. 50: addresses issues of representation and election.

  • Federalist No. 78: argues for the independence of the judiciary.

  • Federalist No. 70: defends the need for a strong executive leader.

Economic Programs

• Keynesian Economics: advocates for government intervention to stimulate the economy during downturns.

• Supply-Side Economics: emphasizes tax cuts and deregulation to encourage economic growth.

Bill of Rights (Amendments 1-10):

1. First Amendment: Protects freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

2. Second Amendment: Guarantees the right to keep and bear arms.

3. Third Amendment: Prohibits quartering of soldiers in private homes during peacetime without consent.

4. Fourth Amendment: Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures; requires warrants based on probable cause.

5. Fifth Amendment: Protects against self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and guarantees due process and compensation for property taken by the government (eminent domain).

6. Sixth Amendment: Ensures the right to a speedy, public trial by an impartial jury, legal counsel, and to confront witnesses in criminal cases.

7. Seventh Amendment: Guarantees a jury trial in civil cases involving disputes over $20 or more.

8. Eighth Amendment: Prohibits excessive bail, fines, and cruel and unusual punishments.

9. Ninth Amendment: States that the people have rights beyond those listed in the Constitution.

10. Tenth Amendment: Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

Post-Bill of Rights Amendments:

• 14th Amendment (1868): Grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S., guarantees equal protection under the law, and prohibits states from denying due process.

• 17th Amendment (1913): Establishes the direct election of U.S. Senators by the people, replacing their selection by state legislatures.

• 19th Amendment (1920): Grants women the right to vote, prohibiting discrimination based on sex in voting rights.

• 22nd Amendment (1951): Limits the President to two terms in office or a maximum of 10 years if succeeding another president.

• 24th Amendment (1964): Prohibits poll taxes in federal elections, removing economic barriers to voting.

• 26th Amendment (1971): Lowers the voting age from 21 to 18, recognizing younger citizens’ role in civic participation, especially during the Vietnam War era.