(9890) AP Government UNIT 2 REVIEW [Everything You Need to Know!]

Unit 2 Overview

  • Focus on the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial, as well as the bureaucracy.

  • Aimed at preparing for AP Government exam.

Legislative Branch (Congress)

Structure of Congress

  • Bicameral: Composed of two houses—House of Representatives and Senate.

  • House of Representatives:

    • 435 members, apportioned by state population.

    • 2-year terms promote closer connection with constituents.

  • Senate:

    • 100 members, two from each state, serving 6-year terms.

    • Senators are less connected to intimate details of their state's needs.

Legislative Process

  • Both houses must pass identical bills for them to become law.

  • Coalitions formed in both chambers to facilitate legislation.

    • Senate coalitions are generally more durable than those in the House.

Congressional Powers

  • Enumerated Powers: Explicitly listed in Article I, Section 8 (e.g., taxation, defense).

  • Implied Powers: Powers necessary to implement enumerated powers through the Necessary and Proper Clause (e.g., establishing a national bank).

Congressional Leadership

  • House Leadership: Speaker of the House, majority/minority leaders, and whips.

  • Senate Leadership: President of the Senate (Vice President), President pro tempore, Senate Majority Leader, and whips.

Committees in Congress

  • Types of Committees:

    • Standing Committees: Permanent committees (e.g., Budget).

    • Joint Committees: Members from both houses (e.g., Library of Congress).

    • Select Committees: Temporary for specific purposes (e.g., Watergate).

    • Conference Committees: Resolve differences between House and Senate bills.

Bill to Law Process

  1. Introduction and Committee Assignment.

  2. Markup: Amendments and revisions made during committee work.

  3. House and Senate Vote: Final revisions followed by votes in both chambers.

  4. Presidential Action: Bill signed, vetoed, or pocket vetoed.

Federal Budget

  • Mandatory Spending: Legal obligations (e.g., Social Security).

  • Discretionary Spending: Remaining funds for government use; includes debate among committees.

Factors Affecting Legislative Efficiency

  • Political Polarization: Increases difficulty in negotiation between parties.

  • Trustee vs. Delegate Models: Different approaches to representation impact voting behavior.

  • Redistricting and Gerrymandering: Influence how representatives are elected and how their districts are drawn.

    • Baker v. Carr (1962): Established one person, one vote principle.

    • Shaw v. Reno (1993): Addressed racial gerrymandering, ruled unconstitutional.

Executive Branch

Presidential Powers

  • Formal Powers: Article II outlines key executive powers, including the veto and foreign policy authority.

  • Informal Powers:

    • Bargaining and Persuasion: Influence public and legislative agendas.

    • Executive Orders: Directives that carry the force of law, used to manage bureaucracy.

    • Signing Statements: Interpretations of laws upon signing.

Presidential Appointments

  • Cabinet Appointments: Require Senate confirmation.

  • Supreme Court Nominations: Highly contentious, can lead to political strife.

Communication and Influence

  • Bully Pulpit: The president's ability to speak directly to the public through various media platforms (e.g., State of the Union, social media).

Judicial Branch

Structure of the Federal Court System

  • U.S. District Courts: 94 courts with original jurisdiction.

  • U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals: 12 courts with appellate jurisdiction.

  • Supreme Court: Highest court with both original and appellate jurisdiction.

Judicial Review

  • Federalist 78: Hamilton's argument for judicial independence and power of judicial review.

  • Marbury v. Madison (1803): Established judicial review, declaring laws constitutional or not.

Precedent and Decision-Making

  • Stare Decisis: Principle that past rulings influence future cases.

  • Judicial Activism vs. Restraint:

    • Activism: Courts play an active role in policy-making.

    • Restraint: Courts limit their role to constitutional interpretation only.

Checks on Judicial Power

  • Presidential Appointments: Influence over the judiciary through appointments.

  • Congressional Legislation: Can check Supreme Court's authority through amendments and jurisdiction limitations.

Bureaucracy

Structure and Function

  • Cabinet Departments: 15 departments led by secretaries, overseeing various government functions.

  • Agencies and Commissions: Execute laws, write regulations, and monitor compliance.

Bureaucratic Work

  • Regulations: Bureaucracies create detailed rules to implement laws passed by Congress.

  • Iron Triangle: Relationship between bureaucratic agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups enhancing policy formulation.

Historical Change in Bureaucracy

  • Merit System: Brought about by the Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883) to combat patronage.

  • Civil Service Reform: Aimed at making bureaucracy more efficient and representative.