AP Government Study Guide PDF

Jenna Mercier AP GOVERNMENT STUDY GUIDE UNIT 1 Fundamental Principles of Democracy Direct Democracy - citizens meet and vote directly on government decisions Representative Democracy (Republic) – citizens choose officials who make decisions on govern...

Jenna Mercier AP GOVERNMENT STUDY GUIDE UNIT 1 Fundamental Principles of Democracy Direct Democracy - citizens meet and vote directly on government decisions Representative Democracy (Republic) – citizens choose officials who make decisions on government policy Magna Carta (1215) – signed by King John as the first form of government Enlightenment Philosophers – 17th Century o Social Contract – agreement between the people and the government o Consent of the Governed – there are no supreme rulers; all rulers are dependent of the approval of the people; any government can be overthrown and replaced o Natural Rights – Life, Liberty, and Property Declaration of Independence (1776) – written by Thomas Jefferson; document built on principles of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” consent of the governed, and social contract theory; break-up with England Common Good – belief in doing what is best for the nation overall Popular Sovereignty – belief that the ultimate authority rests with the people Majority Rule – belief that government is run based on the will of the majority The First Government – Articles of Confederation (1777) Weaknesses o Weak association of states (states very independent) o No central executive power o No federal power to tax citizens directly o Federal government could raise an army, (but not pay for it), print money, declare war, and run the post office o 9 out of 13 states were required to vote to pass a law o With no strong central government supervision, states could get away with taxing and printing money, and making foreign treaties o Shay’s Rebellion - Farmer rebellion in Massachusetts 1786-1787 protesting mortgage foreclosures and terrible economy. Rebellion represented how weak the central government was Debate for a Constitution Constitutional Convention meets in Philadelphia, 1787 to write new constitution All delegates supported Representative Democracy (Republic) – democracy where people elect representatives who pass laws Supported 3 branches – executive, legislative, and judicial Serious debate between Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists, North vs. South, Big States vs. Small States over new government  Jenna Mercier 3/5 Compromise - counted slaves as 3/5 of a person to give the south more representatives Connecticut Compromise – (Bicameralism) – Established two equal bodies (House of Representatives and Senate) one based on population, one giving all states equal representation. This was a compromise between big states (Virginia Plan) and small states (New Jersey Plan) over the format of the Congress Federalists (Hamilton, Madison) supported the Constitution because it gave power to a strong central government. Anti-federalists opposed the constitution because they thought the national government would become tyrannical and take power away from the states Federalist Papers – articles written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay arguing for the constitution o Federalist Paper #10 – written by Madison; importance of factions, factions are inevitable, but factions are best handled by a large republic o Federalist Paper #51 – written by Madison; importance of checks and balances and the separation of powers o Federalist #70 – written by Hamilton; a unitary executive (one president) ensures accountability and power against legislative encroachment o Federalist #78 – written by Hamilton; proposed the structure of Federal courts, their power to determine the constitutional abilities of Congress, and methods of appointing judges Brutus No. 1 (1781) – Written anonymously; Constitution gives too much power to central government, could do away with state governments, standing army in peacetime is the destruction of liberty Letter from Birmingham Jail (1963) – written by MLK Jr.; people have the responsibility to follow laws that are just and fair + the duty to break and remove unjust laws The United States Constitution o Article I –Legislative Branch o Article II –Executive Branch o Article III –Judicial Branch o Article IV – Interstate relations o Article V – Amendment process Amendments Bill of Rights 1. Freedom of speech, assembly, petition, religion, press 2. Right to bear arms 3. No quartering soldiers 4. No unreasonable searches and seizures 5. Right to a trial, no double jeopardy, individuals are not required to testify against themselves 6. Right to a speedy, public and impartial trial with lawyer  Jenna Mercier 7. Right to a trial by jury 8. No excessive bails or fines, no cruel or unusual punishments 9. Additional rights to the people 10. Rights reserved to the states o 13th – Abolition of Savery o 14th – Civil Rights o 15th – Black Suffrage o 17th – direct election of senators o 19th - Women’s suffrage o 23rd – allowing DC residents to vote o 24th – elimination of poll tax o 26th – lowering voting age to 18 (from 21) Separation of Powers – each branch has their own powers 1. Legislative Branch – Passes laws 2. Executive Branch – Executes laws 3. Judicial Branch – Interprets laws; this power comes from Supreme Court Case Marbury vs. Madison – set judicial review Checks and Balances – each branch checks the other Legislative Executive Judicial Approves budget Can propose laws Interprets laws Passes laws Can veto laws Can declare executive Can override veto Can call special acts and legislative Can impeach sessions of congress laws unconstitutional president, judges Can appeal to public Approves Appoints officials and appointments and judges treaties Can pardon convicted Confirms judges and felons cabinet appointments Federalism – Separation between powers of the Federal, State, and Local governments Confederacy – System of government in which the central government is very weak, and most of the true power lies in individual states Unitary System – System of government in which the central government is extremely powerful, and individual states have few powers Dual Federalism: “Layer Cake” (1789-1932) – Belief that the state and national governments are supreme within their own sphere of influence Cooperative Federalism “Marble Cake”– sharing powers between state and federal governments Fiscal Federalism – government’s patterns of spending, taxing, and providing grants to influence state and local governments o Grants-in-aid – money given from the federal government to the states o Categorical grants – federal grants for specific purposes (building an airport)  Jenna Mercier o Block grants – broad grants from the federal government that give local/state governments a lot of freedom to spend money as they please without many strings attached o Revenue sharing – federal sharing of a fixed percentage of its revenue with the states o Mandates – terms set by the federal government that states must meet if they accept federal grants Federal Powers 1. Express powers – powers listed (enumerated) in the constitution for the Federal government: go to war, raise an army, regulate interstate and foreign commerce, establish post offices 2. Implied powers – Based on necessary and proper clause (elastic clause) – gives congress flexibility to make laws necessary and proper for carrying out express powers, upheld in McCulloch v. Maryland 3. Inherent powers – powers dealing with foreign policy not in constitution, but given to federal government Denied Powers – powers denied to the government o Writ of Habeas Corpus – being imprisoned without formal accusation o Bills of Attainder – laws that declare a person to be guilty o Ex Post Facto Laws – laws that make an act illegal after it was preformed Concurrent Powers - shared by Federal and State governments; power to tax and spend, establish courts, make laws Supremacy Clause – Federal law is superior to state law; McColloch v. Maryland Interstate Commerce Clause – Gives Federal Government authority to regulate all of interstate commerce How to Amend the Constitution o 2/3 of Congress propose amendments + 3/4 of states ratify it o State convention called by 2/3 of states propose amendments + 3/4 of states ratify (happened in 21st amendment) UNIT 2 Political Culture, Beliefs, and Behaviors Political Socialization – manner in which people develop their political views (family, friends, media, current government, education) Ideologies o Liberal - large federal government involvement needed to provide for the people (welfare, new deal, great society) o Socialist - belief in an extremely powerful state to protect people o Conservative - belief that limited government is necessary to grow strong economy, very pro-business anti-regulation o Libertarianism - belief in very small government and extreme focus on individual and business rights, no regulation of industry Census - Every 10 years a count of the total population, different ethnic groups, religions, and how people vote  Jenna Mercier Redistricting – after every census the congressional districts are redrawn based on population Reapportionment – state legislatures reapportion (resize) state congressional districts after every census Gerrymandering – The practice of redistricting in order to benefit a specific party by drawing districts based on the demo of their residents (Baker v. Carr and Shaw v. Reno) Voting Behavior – change in voting stats throughout history Party Identification – when people identify with a party based on issues Political Efficacy – belief that you can participate in politics, or that government will respond (every vote counts) Types of Elections General Elections - held every four years in which president is elected Primary Elections – a political party’s elections to determine nominee for general election 1. Open primaries – people from either party can vote (must choose to vote for either democrats or republicans) 2. Closed primaries – people can only vote if they are a registered member of the party Caucuses – candidate nomination process in which party members meet to discuss and decide on candidate Changes to System of Checks and Balances Referendum – people vote on whether or not to accept a law passed by state legislature, or a proposed amendment to the state constitution Initiative – people vote on laws and constitutional amendments within state (direct democracy) Recall – voters remove elected officials UNIT 3 Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media Linkage Organizations – groups that link people with the government Divided Government – one party controls the white house, other controls congress Realignment – switching of voter preference from one party to another Dealignment – when people abandon parties and become independents Voting and Elections Presidents are elected by the electoral college The US public does not vote directly for the president, instead they vote in statewide elections for electors. These electors then vote directly for the president and vice president States have electoral votes equal to number of senators + number of representatives If candidate wins the plurality of popular vote in state, he gets all the electoral votes (two exceptions – Maine, Nebraska)  Jenna Mercier Majority of total electoral votes is needed to become president, if no candidate has a majority, the house votes It is possible to win popular vote but lose electoral vote (Gore) In senate elections, total state votes for 2 senators Influencing Elections Interest Groups – a collection of groups that use fundraising and lobbying to influence the political process Political Action Committees (PAC’s) – form financial branch of interest groups (donates to candidates) Iron Triangle – close relationships between interest groups, Congress, and agencies Revolving door – government officials often retire and move on to work as lobbyists for interest groups Lobbying - activities aimed at influencing public officials (legislators) and trying to promote or defeat certain legislation; supply’s data to government officials to convince them to vote a certain way; also, public opinion The Media Media – referred to as the 4th branch of government due to its large impact Media Bias – spins news towards a certain political ideology Selective perception – people hear what they want to hear Selective exposure – people avoid listening to media with other viewpoints Horserace Journalism – focusing exclusively on the candidate who is doing the best at the time 527 Groups – Tax exempt organization created to influence the nomination/election of a candidate UNIT 4 Institutions: Presidency and Congress Congress: Congress has two bodies, the House and the Senate, in order for a bill to pass it must be passed by both houses After a congressman proposes a bill, the Speaker (in the house) or the Majority leader (Senate) gives that bill to a committee, which gives it to a subcommittee Congress holds hearings to oversee the executive Incumbents have great chances of winning reelection Approves the budget How they Vote: Logrolling – politicians “trade” votes Pork Barrel Spending - Politicians add on extra, unrelated programs to bills that will benefit their constituents The House of Representatives:  Jenna Mercier States are given representatives based on population Impeaches members of executive, judicial Representatives serve two-year terms Each rep. represents a certain congressional district The House has a Rules Committee – determines whether bills have closed rule (no amendments, time limit on debate) or open rule (open to relevant, germane amendments, no time limit) Senate: Each state has two senators (equal representation) Senators serve six-year terms The senate has the responsibility of confirming presidential appointments and nominees, ratifying treaties, and confirming the budget Because debate is unlimited, the minority party can filibuster – kill a bill by continuing to talk To end debate and a filibuster, cloture (a vote by 3/5 of the senate) is required Senate can also add riders (irrelevant amendments) to bills Committees: Most work is done in committees (especially in the house) Most bills die in committees Type Description House Senate Standing Committee Permanent panel with Appropriations – sets Armed Services – full legislative specific expenditure oversees military and functions and for the federal Defense oversight government Foreign Relations – responsibilities Rules – determines provides foreign under what rules bill policy leadership comes to floor Subcommittee Formed to tackle Livestock, Dairy, and Health Care specific tasks within Poultry Subcommittee standing committee (subcommittee of (subcommittee of agriculture finance committee) Select/Special Temporary groups House Watergate Select committee on Committee with limited purposes Committee ethics (investigation) Joint Committee Includes members of Joint Economic Joint Economic both houses to Committee Committee perform housekeeping tasks of studies Conference Special type of joint Conference Conference Committees committee that committees formed as committees formed as reconciles senate and needed needed  Jenna Mercier house versions of a bill Cabinet – president picks (senate confirms) the heads of the 15 most important agencies, these agencies help execute the law Informal powers of the President 1. Executive Orders – orders written by president or agency that have the weight of law; Undo by: president can rescind it, next president can rescind it, the supreme court can rule it unconstitutional 2. Executive Privilege - right of president to keep certain documents private if pertaining to national security (USA v. Nixion – Watergate) 3. Agenda Setting - president sets out the legislation he wants passed (he uses his bully pulpit) 4. Impoundment - ability to refuse to spend money appropriated by congress (this was ruled unconstitutional) UNIT 5 The Bureaucracy Bureaucracy – administrative system that divides work into specific departments carried out by non-elected official (remains politically neutral) Discretionary Authority – its power to choose course of action and make policies not explicitly spelled out by laws The Bureaucracy has 3 main roles: 1. Implementation - carry out laws, executive orders; homeland security 2. Administration - routine administrative work; social security 3. Regulation – issue rules that impact the public (EPA sets out standards) o Cabinet Departments – Department of defense/ Department of state o Independent Executive Agencies – social security, CIA o Independent Regulatory Commissions – Federal Reserve Board o Government – US Postal Service Judicial Review – allows judges to interpret the Constitution Stare Decisis – to stand by past precedents; past cases Judicial Restraint – principle that courts will not overturn previous decisions Structure of the Federal Courts District Courts – the lowest federal courts, where federal trials usually go first, use jury Courts of Appeals (circuit courts) – Federal courts that hear appeals from district courts, no juries, decisions made by panels of appointed judges; someone must claim to have had their constitutional rights violated Supreme Court – Hears appeals of appeal court rulings (somebody appeals the decision of the circuit court). 4 of 9 justices must agree to hear case (writ of certiorari)  Jenna Mercier Appointing Judges 1. President picks nominees based on chosen nominees that align with political views as determines where the judge will serve 2. The Senate Judiciary committee reviews chosen candidates 3. The Senate has floor debate and vote on confirmation 4. If chosen, sworn in under oath by the Chief Justice Concurring Opinion – a signed opinion that agrees with majority for other reasons Dissenting Opinion – a signed opinion from the justices on the losing side Civil Liberties Civil Liberties – freedoms protected against government restraint (1 st, 14th , and 15th amendments) Due Process Clause - denies government the right to deny people of life, liberty, or property without due process of law (trial) Selective Incorporation – the process by which individual liberties originally only applied to the federal government are applied to the states (through the due process clause of the 14th amendment) Equal Protection of the Law – a standard of equal treatment for all Americans Freedom of Expression – right of people to speak, punish, assemble, and petition Non-protected Speech – libel, obscenity, fighting words, and commercial speech do not receive first amendment protection Freedom of Religion – Free Exercise Clause: exercise own religions Establishment Clause: government cannot establish a religion COURT CASES Marbury v. Madison (1803) Established judicial review McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) Established federal supremacy over states Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) Slaves are property, not citizens Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) “Separate but equal”, allows for segregation Schenk v. USA (1919) Government can limit speech; “clear and present danger” Korematsu v. USA (1944) Government can detain individuals in emergencies Brown v. Board of Education (1954) Overturned Plessy v Ferguson, segregation is unconstitutional Baker v. Carr (1962) “One man, one vote”; Equal Protection Clause Engel v. Vitale (1962) No school-led prayer allowed in public schools Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) States must provide attorneys to defendants Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) “Symbolic speech is not disruptive speech”; right to expression NYT v. USA (1971) President cannot withhold papers from the press; prior restraint is unjustified Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) Free Exercise Clause; religion under 1st amendment Texas v. Johnson (1989) Flag burning is freedom of expression; symbolic speech Shaw v. Reno (1993) Race based legislative districts are not permissible USA v. Lopez (1995) Guns are not acceptable based on the Gun-Free School Zone Act of 1990; guns are considered commerce McDonald v. Chicago (2010) 2nd amendment; the right to bear arms must also apply to the states  Jenna Mercier Citizens United v. Federal Election Allowed corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts on Commission (2010) political campaigns Economic Policy Deficits – spending more than we make Debt – the sum of all the deficits Law of Supply – as price increases, the quantity suppliers are willing to supply increases Law of Demand – as price falls, the quantity demanded rises Monetary Policy – actions the Federal Reserve takes to control the economy (money supply); promotes growth Inflation – the value of money falls as there is a large amount of money in circulation The Federal Reserve tries to keep the economy stable: o Reserve Requirement – the amount of money the Fed requires banks to keep in reserve o The Discount Rate – interest rate the fed charges on banks when they borrow money o Government Bonds – bonds are investments in which an investor loans money to the government for a certain amount of time at a certain interest rate Fiscal Policy – What the president and congress do to control economy via taxing and spending Progressive Taxation – a tax system that forces people with higher incomes to pay a larger fraction of their income than do people with lower incomes Flat Taxation – a tax system that charges a flat payment of taxes from people of all different income levels Regressive Taxation – a tax system in which people with lower incomes pay a higher fraction of their incomes than do people with higher incomes Regulatory Policy – the manner in which government regulates the economy to provide for the greater good Economic Theories o Keynesianism – Belief that government must manage the economy by spending more money during recessions and cutting spending when there is inflation o Monetarism – The belief that inflation occurs when government prints too much money, and that government should leave the economy to the free market o Planning – The belief that total government control over the economy such as wage and price controls or direction of investment can improve the economy o Supply-Side Economics – Belief that lower taxes and fewer regulations stimulate economic growth o Reaganomics – Reagan’s economic policies that combined monetarism, supply side economics, and lower spending (except on the military) to stimulate the economy Social Welfare  Jenna Mercier Majoritarian Politics – Universal welfare programs in which everyone pays and everyone benefits (Social Security, Medicare) Social Security – a program that began in 1935 that taxed individuals to provide funds that were used to support the poor, elderly, and unemployed Medicare – an insurance program begun under LBJ in 1964 that paid for the medical expenses of senior citizens Client Politics – Means tested programs in which everyone pays yet only a few benefit (Food Stamps, Medicaid) Foreign Defense and Policy Positive Actions (Mutuals) Negative Actions (conflict) o Make statements of praise/support o Statements of condemnation o Exchange key info o Cut diplomatic ties o Hold summit meeting o Limit travel/visas o Loosen immigration policy o Raise tariffs, impose sanctions o Send peace corps o Issue threats o Grant economic aid, give loans o Demand debt payments o Provide humanitarian assistance o Mobilize/deploy troops o Forgive debt o Perform covert operations to weaken o Cut tariffs, remove embargoes government o Provide military aid, sell weapons o Support anti-government factions o Cultural exchanges o Assassinate leaders o Spread propaganda o Arrest their citizens Power of the Purse – congress’ most powerful tool; responsible for authorizing and appropriating the funds needed for foreign policy missions