ap gov reading guide 11

  1. How has technology impacted redistricting?
    Technology allows precise mapping, enabling gerrymandering.

  2. What does the textbook say about the content of Article I of the Constitution?
    Article I establishes Congress’s structure, powers, and lawmaking authority.

  3. How is the principle of bicameralism related to the topic of factions?
    Bicameralism limits faction power by requiring chamber agreement.

  4. How is the House of Representatives designed to be closer to the people than the Senate?
    The House has shorter terms and smaller districts for greater accountability.

  5. What does Table 4.1 in the textbook discuss?
    Table 4.1 outlines the structural differences between the House and Senate.

  6. How is the Senate designed to provide stability to our national government?
    The Senate's longer terms and staggered elections create stability.

  7. What are the three most common occupations for members of Congress?
    Lawyers, businesspeople, and educators are the most common.

  8. How did the 17th Amendment impact the legislative branch?
    It allowed for direct election of senators, increasing democracy.

  9. According to the authors, what is the most important power of Congress?
    The most important power of Congress is the power to make laws.

  10. What does Table 4.2 in the textbook discuss?
    Table 4.2 lists Congress's enumerated and implied powers.

  11. What specific power was granted to the House of Representatives in regard to economic policy?
    The House can originate revenue-raising bills.

  12. What is an earmark?
    An earmark is a provision directing funds to specific projects.

  13. What is pork-barrel spending?
    It allocates government funds for local projects to gain support.

  14. What is logrolling?
    Logrolling is trading votes to pass each other's bills.

  15. What are three arguments in favor of earmarks?
    Earmarks target funding, foster bipartisanship, and address local needs.

  16. How does Congress impact foreign policy?
    Congress declares war, approves treaties, and controls foreign funding.

  17. What role does Congress play in regard to the judicial branch?
    Congress establishes courts, sets salaries, and approves judges.

  18. What role does Congress play in regard to the bureaucracy?
    Congress oversees funding, investigates agencies, and ensures effective law execution.

  19. Which positions in the national government are subject to impeachment?
    The President, Vice President, and civil officers can be impeached.

  20. Who has the power to impeach?
    The House of Representatives holds the power to impeach.

  21. What role does the Senate play in regard to impeached officials?
    The Senate tries and decides whether to convict impeached officials.

  22. What is a constituency?
    A constituency is the group of people a legislator represents.

  23. What does the 1842 Apportionment Act mandate?
    It requires contiguous and equal-population congressional districts.

  24. What do the authors mean when they say voters are unequally represented in the Senate?
    Smaller states have the same number of senators as larger ones.

  25. What is apportionment or reapportionment?
    Apportionment distributes congressional seats; reapportionment adjusts after each census.

  26. What is redistricting?
    Redistricting redraws district boundaries to reflect population changes.

  27. What is gerrymandering?
    Gerrymandering manipulates district boundaries for political advantage.

  28. Why do the authors connect polarization in Congress to redistricting?
    Safe districts from redistricting lead to extreme candidates and polarization.

  29. Why does Carol Swain argue majority-minority districts may harm African Americans?
    They concentrate minority voters, reducing broader influence.

  30. What precedent did Baker v. Carr (1962) establish?
    It allowed federal courts to hear redistricting cases.

  31. What was formalized by Gray v. Sanders (1963) and Reynolds v. Simms (1964)?
    They established the "one person, one vote" standard.

  32. What did the Supreme Court rule in Shaw v. Reno (1993)?
    Race cannot be the predominant factor in districting.

  33. What is incumbency advantage?
    Incumbents are more likely to win due to recognition and resources.

  34. What contributes to incumbency advantage?
    Name recognition, fundraising, and constituent services contribute.

  35. Is incumbency advantage stronger in the House or Senate?
    It’s stronger in the House due to smaller constituencies and frequent elections.