Review Guide for AP US Govt and Politics Exam

8/20/2019 Review Guide for AP US Govt and Politics Exam

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Study Guide for AP US Govt. Exam Trosper

Review Guide for AP US Govt. and Politics Exam

Unit 1-Constitutional UnderpinningsUnit II- Political Beliefs and Behaviors

Unit III- Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass MediaUnit IV- Institutions of the Government (egislative Branch, !"ecutive Branch#

Unit V- Pu$lic Polic%Unit VI- &udicial Branch, Civil 'ights, and Civil i$erties

1


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Unit I- Constitutional Underpinnings of te U.S. GovernmentI# Concepts of merican )emocrac%

# In a democrac%, ordinar% citi*+ens ield the poer to government .he U/ is a h%$rid com$ining man% different t%pes ofdemocrac%

1# !irect !emocrac"- all citi+ens participate in the lama0ing process# Representative !emocrac" (ie repu$lican democrac%# - citi+ens elect representatives to do the lama0ing2# .he U/ is a Constitutional democrac" hich means the poers of government are limited $% a ritten constitution

B# 3eatures of merican political culture41# 5atural la, consent of the governed, distrustful of government (prevents encroachment of individual li$erties#, political

e6ualit%C# mericans have a lo level of participation in government Ma7orit% of electorate does 58. vote)# Know4 Pluralist, !litists, and 9%perpluralists .heories

II# Constitution# rticles of Confederation replaced $% the Constitution to create a stronger national government (ea0nesses included no

poer to ta" or regulate trade, as ell as preventing the formation of a unified nation $ecause individual states had too much poer#

1# /ha%:s re$ellion as the final stra in proving the rticles ere not a sufficient plan for the government under the rticles(illustrates the importance of propert% rights to the founders#

B# 3inal structure of the Constitution1# rticle I4 egislative

Branch# rticle II4 !"ecutive

Branch

2# rticle III4 &udicial Branch;# rticle IV4 3ederalism# rticle VII4 'atification

Procedures

C# Principles of the Constitution (according to the Madisonian Model#4 Separation of Powers and Cec#s and $alances1# egislative Chec0s

(a# 9ouse and /enate can veto a $ill of the otherhouse

($# /enate approves presidential nominations for 7udges and other officials,

(c# Can impeach the president(d# Controls the $udget(e# Can pass las over a president:s veto ith a to-

thirds ma7orit%# !"ecutive Branch

(a# Can veto $ills passed $% Congress($# 5ominates 7udges and other government officials

2# &udicial Branch(a# Can declare las passed $% Congress to $e unconstitutional

($# Can declare acts of the president to $e unconstitutional (not asserted until Marbury v. Madison in 1*?2#)# mendment Process

1# Proposal4 B% Congress ith a @2 vote in each 9ouse or $% 5ational Convention called $% @2 of states# 'atification4 B% A of state legislatures or $% Conventions in A of the states

!# .he amendment process is a reflection of our federal s%stem of government3# .he Informal Process of Constitutional Change

1# &udicial Interpretation# Marbury v. Madison (1*?2#4 7udicial revie2# Changing Political Practice

;# .echnolog%


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)# 3ull faith and credit clause re6uires each state to formall% recogni+e documents and 7udgments handed don $% courts inother states

!# Privileges and Immunities Clause helps unif% the states $% assuring all citi+ens are treated e6uall% hen the% travel from stateto state

3# 3iscal federalism (Cooperative 3ederalismcategorical grants, $loc0 grants, mandates, cross-cutting re6uirements, cross oversanctions, etcD#

1# Generall%, the federal, state, and local governments or0 together to complete a pro7ect, ith the federal government providing much of the pro7ect funding

# .rends4 3ederal Grants to state and local governments have increased since 1


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Possi%le &R'(s for Unit )- Constitutional Underpinnings

1 Using the data in the graph a$ove and %our 0noledge of United /tates politics, perform the folloing tas0sa# Identif% to trends shon in the graph $# !"plain ho each of the folloing contri$utes to the difference $eteen the federal and the state and local lines in the graph

• Bloc0 Grants

• 3ederal Mandates

.he poer of the federal government relative to the poer of the states has increased since the ratification of the Constitutiona# )escri$e to of the folloing provisions of the constitution and e"plain ho each has $een used over time to e"pand federal

poer

• .he poer to ta" and spend

• .he Enecessar% and properF or EelasticF clause

• .he commerce clause

$# !"plain ho one of the folloing has increased the poer of the federal government relative to the poer of stategovernments

• mericans ith )isa$ilities act

• Civil 'ights ct of 1=;

• Clean ir ct

2 significant feature of the !lectoral College is that most states have a inner-ta0e-all s%stem

a# )escri$e the inner-ta0e-all feature of the !lectoral College $# !"plain one a% in hich the inner-ta0e-all feature of the !lectoral College affects ho presidential candidates from the toma7or political parties run their campaignsc# !"plain one a% in hich the inner-ta0e-all feature of the !lectoral College hinders third-part% candidatesd# !"plain to reasons h% the !lectoral College has not $een a$olished

; .he framers of the United /tates Constitution created a federal s%stema# )efine federalism $# /elect to of the folloing and e"plain ho each has $een used to increase the poer of the federal government relative to

the states

• Categorical grants

• 3ederal mandates

• /elective incorporation

c# /elect to of the folloing and e"plain ho each has $een used to increase the poer of the states relative to the federalgovernment

• elfare 'eform ct of 1=

• Bloc0 grants

• .enth mendment


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= hen &ames Madison proposed a ne constitution, he tried to $alance the need for proper energ% in government ith a clearlimitation on government poer as ell

a Identif% to features Madison proposed for 0eeping an% $ranch of government from $ecoming too poerful $ e"plain ho each feature identified in $alances the need for strong government ith a need for limited governmentUse to e"amples to support %our anserc Identif% one feature Madison proposed for dividing poers $eteen national and state governmentsd e"plain ho this feature $alanced the need for a strong central government hile assuring the states of ade6uate poer

Principles from released &R'(s for Unit )- Constitutional Underpinnings• 3ederalism4 a a% of organi+ing a nation so that to or more levels of government have formal authorit% over the same area

and people

• Categorical grant4 Grant designed for a specific purpose, /tates must spend mone% in accordance ith government:s ishes

• 3ederal mandate4 a federal government tells states hat policies to implement 8ften, funds are not provided to support these

mandates (unfunded mandate#

• /elective incorporation4 3ederal courts can overturn state and local practices .his has $een done slol%, over time

• elfare 'eform ct of 1= include4 /tates ere given the poer and mone% to run their on elfare program /tates ere

given discretion to determine ho to implement the federal goal of transferring people from elfare to or0 Part of a largermovement of devolution, or giving poer $ac0 to the states

• Bloc0 grants include4 It is targeted mone%, $loc0 grants to states have fe strings attached, so states can ma0e decisions a$out

the details of here the mone% goes

• .enth mendment4 It reserves poer to the states and to the people, It is $eing used to argue that poer $e returned to thestates

• Pluralist .heor%4 theor% of government and policies emphasi+ing that politics is mainl% a competition among groups, each

one pressing for its on preferred policies, Groups ill or0 together, Pu$lic interest ill prevail through $argaining andcompromise

• !lite and Class .heor%4 theor% of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an

upper-class elite ill rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organi+ation, 5ot all groups e6ual, Policies $enefit those ith mone% and poer

• 9%per pluralism4 theor% of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is ea0ened,

Groups control polic% and prevent government from acting, )ifficult% in coordinating polic% implementation, Confusing andcontradictor% policies result from politicians tr%ing to placate ever% group

• ccepta$le e"planation for separation of poers include4 Poer is divided among three $ranches of government-the

legislative, e"ecutive, and 7udicial, !ach $ranch has a specific grant of poer and each is independent of the other

• !"amples of separation of poers

o egislative Branch4 Made up of the 9ouse of 'epresentatives and the /enate .he 9ouse and /enate can veto each

other:s $illso !"ecutive Branch4 !"ecutive 8ffice of the President, !"ecutive and Ca$inet level departments, and independent

government agencies Efaithfull% e"ecute the Constitution of the United /tatesFo &udicial Branch4 /upreme Court, courts of appeal, and district courts

• ccepta$le e"planation for chec0s and $alances4 setting poer against poer to constrain government actions

• !"amples of chec0s and $alances4

• 3ederalism is a a% to 0eep government from getting too much poer

• 9o does federalism 0eep government from getting too much poer hile assuring that states have poerH

o Poers of the national government are listed in rticle I


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o Poers reserved to the state governments are those not listed in rticle I .he .enth mendment specifies this

o s a result of these specific poers, the Constitution hoped to prevent the federal government from $ecoming too

strongo Until the 1*?:s, the trend has $een for the federal government to gain more poer

o 'ecentl%, devolution has attempted to give more poer $ac0 to the states, $eginning ith 'onald 'eagan

• .a" and spend poer

o ho e"ercises this poerH (Congress@national govt#

• .he Enecessar% and properF or elastic clause

o ho e"ercises this poer H(Congress@national govt#o Must descri$e the poer to pass las

• .he commerce clause

o ho e"ercises this poerH (Congress@national govt#

o Must refer to the regulation of interstate commerce, foreign commerce@trade, or commerce ith native merican

tri$es

• .he federal government uses these three poers to e"pand the poer of the federal government $%4 grants from the national

government to the state government for specific purposes and ith strings attached hen given a categorical grant, statesagree to spend the mone% in specific a%s

o Possi$le e"amples include4

Interstate 9igha% ct

3ederal Mandate to 'aise the )rin0ing ge to 1

• dvantages of categorical grants include4 llos the national government to have greater fiscal responsi$ilit% for the mone%

that it collectsJ Mem$ers of Congress ma% feel responsi$le for mone% collected therefore the% e"ercise specific control overho it is spent

• )isadvantages of categorical grants include4 /tates can $e E$lac0mailedF $% the national government

• Bloc0 grants are mone%s given $% the national government to the states for more general purposes /tates often, have choices

to ma0e on ho to spend $loc0 grants

• !"amples of Bloc0 Grants include4 )ifferent regions having different needs, elfare 'eform ct of 1=

• dvantages of Bloc0 Grants4 It allos the states the a$ilit% to use mone% specific to the needs of the states, It empoers the

states to have more control over ho mone% is spent

• )isadvantages of Bloc0 Grants4 5ational government does not have much control over the mone% and states ma% aste it

=


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Unit II- Political $eliefs and $eaviorsI# Beliefs (0e% terms#4 Political /ociali+ation , Political Ideolog%, Political efficac% (see Ch 1?#, )ivided government

# 3actors influencing political sociali+ation4 famil%, mass media, school, religion .a0es place over one:s entire life ith famil% $eing the most important influence

B# mericans are strongl% individualisticC# mericans have a lo sense of trust in government since the 1


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Possi%le &R'(s for Unit +- Political $eliefs,$eaviors1 8ver the last half of the tentieth centur%, voter turnout in federal elections has declined )uring the same period, voter turnout

has $een higher in presidential elections than in midterm electionsa# Identif% to factors that have contri$uted to the overall decline in turnout in federal elections and e"plain ho each factor hascontri$uted to the overall decline $# Identif% and e"plain to reasons h% voter turnout has $een higher in presidential elections than in midterm elections

Citi+ens often choose to participate in the political process in a%s other than votinga# Identif% to forms of participation in the political process other than voting $# !"plain to advantages of each form of participation %ou identified in (a#

2 .rust and confidence in government have declined in recent decadesa# !"plain ho divided government has contri$uted to the decline in trust and confidence in government Be sure to include adefinition of divided government in %our response $# !"plain ho the increased cost of election campaigns has contri$uted to the decline in trust and confidence in governmentc# !"plain to specific conse6uences of the decline in trust and confidence in government for individual political $ehavior

; In the United /tates political s%stem, there are several lin0age institutions that can connect citi+ens to government !lectionsconstitute one such institution Because of loer voter turnout, elections represent an imperfect method of lin0ing citi+ens to theirgovernment !ven hen there is lo voter turnout, hoever, other lin0age institutions can connect citi+ens to governmenta# )escri$e ho each of the folloing is related to the li0elihood of voting

• ge

• !ducation $# Identif% one current government electoral re6uirement that decreased voter turnout !"plain ho it decreases voter turnoutc# Identif% one lin0age institution other than elections and e"plain to a%s it connects citi+ens to government

Principles !rawn from Released C(s and &R'(s U/I0 II- Political $eliefs and $eaviors1

• .he voter turnout rate in the United /tates is usuall% loer than estern democracies

• .he higher one:s socioeconomic status, the greater the pro$a$ilit% of active involvement in the political process

• n% issue that produces Ecross-pressureF reduces turnout !"ample4 In 1*?, )emocrats shared 'onald 'eagan:s vies on

ta"ation and 'epu$lican omen ho opposed part% platform on !6ual 'ights mendment (!'# $oth turned out in lo rates

• .he more fre6uent a person has voted in the past, the more li0el%, he or she is to vote in the current election .his e"plains h%

e"panding suffrage has not increased voter turnout over time

• merican political culture is characteri+ed $% a strong popular support for e6ualit% of opportunit% (the Emerican CreedF#• Men and omen vote at relativel% e6ual proportions

• )uring the past tent%-five %ears, all of the folloing changes in political opinion and political $ehavior has occurred in the U/4

decline in level of trust in government, drop in voter turnout, increase in tic0et splitting, and erosion of part% lo%alties, especiall%among %oung people

• Blac0 mericans voted most heavil% )emocratic in presidential elections $eteen 1=; and 1

• .he most common form of political activit% underta0en $% U/ citi+ens is voting in presidential elections

• .he ma7orit% of mericans agree in principle ith rights of freedom of speech and assem$l% $ut are, t%picall%, intolerant of vies

the% do not support

• mericans have seen a significant decline in trust in their government since the 1


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Unit III- Political Parties2 Interest Groups2 and ass ediaI# .he ass edia(s main influence on the political agenda is to tell voters hat to thin0 about .he% have an enormous influence

over the pu$lic agenda (hat issues the pu$lic thin0s are important# $% selecting hat issue are the most pressing political topics# Ke% .erms4 media event, trial $alloon, sound $iteB# .he trend is to have shorter, less in-depth coverage of the nes .he% also engage in investigative 7ournalism often ith the

intent of revealing political scandalsC# .he media covers campaign da%-to-da% activities (li0e a horse raceDie Ehorse race 7ournalismF# Campaigns often ta0e

advantage of free media coverage and see0 to in favor ith potential voters at no e"pense to the campaign Candidatesspea0 in sound $ites that are designed to resonate ith the pu$lic hen pla%s on the nightl% nes (e"ample4 George 9Bush, Eread m% lips4 no ne ta"esOF#

1# 3ree e"posure is a dou$le-edged sord $ecause candidates lac0 control over ho it is used (e"ample4 9oard )ean:s EIhave a screamF speech#

)# .he media also pla%s an informational role as a lin0 $eteen the people and politicians .he media acts as a atchdog,letting citi+ens 0no a$out government mismanagement (e"ample4 atergate#

E1 0e President is more li#el" to command media attention tan a mem%er of Congress

II1 Political Parties

# Issue !eneraistsB# Political parties are generall% separate and largel% independent part% organi+ations ho e"ist at the national, state, and local

levelsC# part% organi+ation consists of national part% committees (the )5C and '5C# and various state and local affiliates

1# .raditionall%, the role of the part% organi+ation is to recruit and select candidates to run in the general election, to decide on

a part% platform (the issues it supports#, and to mo$ili+e its supporters to turn out on election da%)# .he U/ has a to-part% s%stem ith third parties tr%ing, unsuccessfull%, to $rea0 into the s%stem Citi+ens are simpl%

reluctant to vote for third parties $ecause the% have little chance of inning .he )emocratic Part% is seen as loo0ing afterthe interests of or0ing class people and the 'epu$licans have $een loo0ed to as the part% of the EoningF class

!# .hird Parties find it difficult to get involved $ecause of our inner-ta0e-all s%stem (pluralit% elections# /ingle mem$erdistricts usuall% result in legislatures dominated $% to political parties

1# 3orm around a specific cause, often force particular issues on the political agenda, and ma% pla% the spoiler role for ma7or parties

3# .he primar% election process has changed the role of part% organi+ations 5o, the% pla% a supporting role to candidate-centered elections 3or e"ample, the part% organi+ation hosts the 5ational Part% Convention, a giant media e"travagan+adesigned to garner national e"posure to the part%:s nominees

G# .he influence of political parties has ea0ened ith the rise of interest groups People are more li0el% to call themselvesindependent more recentl%

9# .he part% in government or0s ith elected part% mem$ers to enact the part%:s platform It reards officeholders ho toethe part% line ith pri+e committee assignments or additional reelection support It punishes independent minded legislators $% not supporting their pet pro7ects

1# In recent %ears, divided government has $een the norm, ith at least one house of Congress controlled $% the part% thatdoes 58. control the presidenc% .here has also $een increased polari+ation ithin the parties, ith moderate legislators $ecoming increasingl% rare

# .he part% in the electorate refers to the relationship citi+ens have ith the political parties citi+en:s part% identification (a ps%chological attachment to a political part%# helps him or her evaluate political issues and candidates /ince the 1=?sthere has $een a decline in part% identification, ith more citi+ens considering themselves independent

2# Compared ith other democracies, merican political parties are considered rather ea0 In other democracies, part%organi+ations retain the a$ilit% to select their candidates, parties in government have greater unit%, and citi+ens have greaterlo%alt% to their parties

III1 Elections and Campaigns

# .erms4 national convention, frontloading, 1=* )emocratic Convention (impact of#, super delegateB# !lections are candidate-centeredC# Phases4 nomination (caucus and primaries# and the general election)# inning an election re6uires organi+ation, a high-tech media campaign, and mone% ength% campaign discourages some

from running Primaries are also unrepresentative of the merican voting electorate $ecause so fe vote .hose ho do aregenerall% affluent

!# .he media has a tremendous influence on campaigns as the% focus on Einners and losersF3# .he $iggest influence on citi+ens: voting decisions is their part% identification Citi+ens are also affected $% the condition of

the econom%, their evaluations of the candidates: personal characteristics, including their charisma and appearanceG# Campaign 3inance


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1# Kno4 3ederal !lection Campaign 3inance ct 1>;, $uc%ey v. &aeo, McCain-3eingold ct ?? (tried to $an softmone%J provides matching funds for presidential candidates#, McConne v. 'edera Eection Commission( soft mone%contri$utions, PC:s, :s (loophole of choice after McCain-3eingold#

(a# 3ederal !lection Campaign 3inance ct 1>; esta$lished a 3ederal !lection Commission to enforce campaign las and pu$lic disclosure of donors Individual contri$utions are limited to L,???

($# $uc%ey v. &aeo declared limits on campaign spending unconstitutional on free speech grounds# 'ecent proposals4 eliminate soft mone% contri$utions (generalJ to the political part%#, limit individual e"penditures, and

raise limits in individual contri$utions 3!C v Citi+ens United ?1? allos corporations to donate unlimited support9# .he !lectoral College (Ch 1?# Ma0e sure %ou full% understand ho it or0s and that %ou can distinguish $eteen pluralit%

and proportional elections (.he !lectoral College is a t%pe of pluralit% election#1# Einner ta0e allF feature has man% implications for Presidential races 9o affect campaignsH

(a# 'esource allocation (often focus on larger states#($# Issues (appeal to voter $loc in specific state#(c# Choice of a vice president(d# 9o affect third partiesH

(i# Ma% get much popular vote, $ut if not a ma7orit% the% cannot get electoral votes(ii# .he fact that the% ma% not in hampers their a$ilit% to raise mone% and gain other campaign resources

# h% has it not $een a$olishedH(a# 9elps ensure that a ma7orit% of electoral votes

are earned $% one candidate($# 9istor%@tradition(c# ould re6uire a constitutional amendment

(d# 5o clear consensus on an alternative(e# Collectivel% $enefits small states

(f# 'acial minorities in some states li0e the electoralcollege $ecause it protects their votes

(g# Collectivel% it $enefits the large states(h# Competitive states li0e it

(i# 3avors a to-part% s%stem

IV# >?N of Interest Groups have $een esta$lished since the 1>?:s# In 'ederaist )*+, Madison argued that factions are natural, $ut controlla$le through the chec0s and $alances and separation

of poers $uilt into our political institutionsB# Issue speciaists .r% to influence legislators through providing legislators ith information on technical issuesC# Primar% goal is to help candidates in elections .he% $enefit democrac% $% representing the interests of minorities and

those ith more intense political $eliefs disadvantage is that ealthier interests tend to $e more successful)# Ma7orit% of mone% goes to Congressional incum$ents!# Kno4 Pluralists, 9%perpluralists (su$ governments or iron triangles composed of interest groups, $ureaucracies, and

committees of Congress#, and !lite .heories of Interest Groups3# Methods4 o$$%ing, Campaign Contri$utions, itigation, Grassroots Campaigns (to mo$ili+e pu$lic opinion#, voter guides

that offer voting advice, endorsement of specific candidates, amicus curiae $riefs (Efriend of the courtF#

G# .%pes1# !conomic Interest Groups4 Business@la$or is the fastest groing since the mid-1>?:s .he% loo0 after the financial

interests of their mem$ers !"amples4 3-CI8# Pu$lic Interest Groups4 e"amples4 merican Civil i$erties Union, 5ational 'ifle ssociation Motivated $ the desire to

improve societ% $ut differ greatl% in hat that means2# !nvironment4 Greenpeace, eague of Conservation Voters;# !6ualit%4 5CP


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Possi%le &R'(s for Unit 3- Political Parties2 Interest Groups2 and ass edia

1 8ne of the most important a%s the nes media influence politics is through agenda settinga# define polic% agenda $# e"plain ho the national nes media engage in agenda settingc# e"plain the primar% reason the president tends to have an advantage over Congress in gaining media attentiond# Consider the ta$le a$ove

• )escri$e the difference in the vieing patterns of older and %ounger age-groups

• )escri$e the change from 1>; to ?? in vieing ha$its that e"ists for all age categories

e# Given the information in the ta$le, descri$e one implication for presidents in their use of the media to promote their political and polic% o$7ectives to the merican pu$lic

Principles !rawn from Released C(s and &R'(s ass edia1

• .he nes media:s most important influence on pu$lic opinion is that it affects hich issues the pu$lic thin0s are important

• .he largest amount of political coverage in nespapers during Presidential campaigns is devoted to da%-to-da% activities

• polic% agenda is a set of issues, pro$lems, or su$7ects that gets the attention of@is vieed as important $% people involved in

polic%ma0ing (eg, government officials, government decision-ma0ers#

• .he nes media engages in agenda setting $%4 raise aareness, provide information, dra attention, demonstrate the important or

conse6uences of the pro$lem, get the pu$lic:s attention, or getting the attention of government@polic%ma0ers

• .he president has an advantage over mem$ers of Congress in gaining media attention $ecause the president spea0s ith a single

voice, hile Congress has man% voices, the president represents the nation, mem$ers of Congress represent states@districts, the president is the national leader@leader of the countr%, the president is more poerful than an% single mem$er of Congress, the president has constitutional poers that Congress does not have

• oung people vie less .V nes than older people@8lder people vie more .V nes than %ounger people

• People in all categories vieed less .V nes in ?? than the% did in 1>;

11


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!lections and CampaignsPolitical Parties1 Minor parties (third parties# have $een a common feature of United /tates politics

a )escri$e the point of vie e"pressed a$out minor parties in the political cartoon a$ove $ Identif% and e"plain ho to rules of the United /tates electoral s%stem act as o$stacles to minor-part% candidates inningelectionsc Minor parties ma0e important contri$utions to the United /tates political s%stem in spite of the institutional o$stacles to theircandidates: success )escri$e to of these contri$utions

hile interest groups and political parties each pla% a significant role in the United /tates political s%stem, the% differ in theirfundamental goalsa Identif% the fundamental goal of interest groups in the political process $ Identif% the fundamental goal of ma7or political parties in the political processc )escri$e to different a%s $% hich interest groups support the fundamental goal of political parties in the political processd 3or one of the forms of support %ou descri$ed in (c#, e"plain to different a%s in hich that form of support helps interestgroups to achieve their fundamental goal in the political process

Principles !rawn from Released C(s and &R'(s Political Parties1

• Goals of political parties4 !lect people to office, gain control of government

• Kno hich groups tend to vote for hich parties4

o 3or e"ample4 !ach of the folloing as a part of the 5e )eal electoral coalition4 Blue-collar or0ers, racial

minorities, /outherners, and 3arm la$orers

• .he inner-ta0e-all electoral s%stem ma0es it difficult for third parties to emerge and survive• .he decline of )emocratic Part% strength among hite southerners as evident in presidential elections in the 1*?:s

• In the 1 election, the mem$ership of Congress as altered significantl% $% an increase in the num$er of minorities and

omen

• Critical elections in the United /tates t%picall% have occurred hen groups of voters have changed their traditional patterns of

part% lo%alties

• .he percentage of voters identif%ing themselves as either )emocrats or 'epu$licans has $een declining since the 1>?:s

• Political parties have declined in importance in recent %ears and interest groups have risen in importance ver% 6uic0l% .his

is $ecause interest groups are $etter a$le to articulate specific polic% positions than political parties

• .he folloing act as ma7or o$stacles to third parties4 inner-ta0e-all aspect of electoral college, $allot access, campaign

financing (rules@limits, not effects#, federal funding of presidential elections, e"clusion from presidential de$ates, single-mem$er pluralit% districts

•

Contri$utions of third parties include4 5e or different ideas or issues, voice for fringe, safet% valve or discontent, enhanced participation, room for critical voices, pushes ma7or parties to include otherise underrepresented concerns@groups, clarif%ma7or-part% candidates: positions

1


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!lections and CampaignsElections and Campaigns1 8ver the last half of the tentieth centur%, voter turnout in federal elections has declined )uring the same period, voter turnout has $een higher in presidential elections than in midterm elections

a# Identif% to factors that have contri$uted to the overall decline in turnout in federal elections and e"plain ho each factor hascontri$uted to the overall decline $# identif% and e"plain to reasons h% voter turnout has $een higher in presidential elections than in midterm elections

.rust and confidence in government have declined in recent decades

a# !"plain ho divided government has contri$uted to the decline in trust and confidence in government Be sure to include adefinition of divided government in %our response $# !"plain ho the increased cost of election campaigns has contri$uted to the decline in trust and confidence in governmentc# !"plain to specific conse6uences of the decline in trust and confidence in government for individual political $ehavior

2 .he United /tates Congress has de$ated a variet% of campaign finance reforms over the last decade .he proposals de$ated haveincluded the folloing4

!liminating soft mone%imiting independent e"penditures

'aising limits on individual contri$utions

a# /elect on of the listed proposals and do all of the folloing4

• )efine the proposal

•

)escri$e an argument that proponents ma0e in favor of the proposal• )escri$e an argument that opponents ma0e against the proposal

$# /elect a different listed proposal and do all of the folloing4

• )efine the proposal

• )escri$e an argument that proponents ma0e in favor of the proposal

• )escri$e an argument that opponents ma0e against the proposal

; 9ave changes in the formal presidential nomination procedures since the mid-1=?:s made the process more democraticH In %ourresponse, support %our argument $% descri$ing three specific changes in the procedures and discussing their effects


14/34

!lections and CampaignsPrinciples !rawn from Released C(s and &R'(s Elections and Campaigns1

• Campaign finance reforms have attempted to minimi+e the role of mone% in influencing the outcome of an election, as as often

the case in the past

• .he use of direct primaries instead of the convention s%stem to select presidential candidates has resulted in4 a ea0ening of part%

control over nominations and an increase in the num$er of people involved in the choice of candidates

• 'eforms to the presidential nomination process have resulted in the num$er of female delegates and minorit%-group delegates at

)emocratic national conventions groing su$stantiall%

• Q.he $oundar% lines of congressional districts are dran $% state legislaturesQ

• Voters in presidential primar% elections are more li0el% to $e affluent compared to voters in a general election

• primar% election in hich voters are re6uired to identif% a part% preference $efore the election and are not alloed to split their

tic0et is called a closed primar%

• significant trend in the presidential nominating process over the past three decades is the increasing importance of presidential

primaries rather than state conventions

• Pu$lic monies are onl% used to help finance Presidential campaigns (not congressional or gu$ernatorial#

• n election involving more than to candidates in hich the person ho receives the most votes is the inner is called a

puraity election

• .he increased cost of election campaigns has contri$uted to the decline in trust and confidence in government $ecause4

Candidates must spend more time raising mone%, 'ole of interest groups (PC:s#, corporations and connections to ealth%donors, Keeps good people from running for office, /mall contri$utions don:t matter, Perception that there is asteful spending

• .he United /tates Congress has de$ated a variet% of campaign finance reforms over the last decade .he proposals de$ated haveincluded the folloing4 !liminating soft mone%, imiting independent e"penditures, and 'aising limits on individualcontri$utions rguments have $een made in favor and against reforming each4

Eliminating soft mone"

• )efinition4 prohi$iting or regulating campaign contri$utions to political parties and@or contri$utions for part% $uilding

activities

ccepta$le arguments in favor include4

• /oft mone% is often used to circumvent limits on hard

mone%

• evels the pla%ing field

• essens concern a$out the undue influence of Efat

catsF@$u%ing of influence

• Provides more disclosure and transparenc%

• )ecreases overall costs of campaigns

ccepta$le arguments against include4

• 3irst mendment

• Contrar% to ruling in $uc%ey v. &aeo

• Part% mone% is one step removed $eteen contri$utor

and decision-ma0er

• ea0ens political parties

• Might lessen grassroots participation

*imiting Independent expenditures

• )efinition4 imiting mone% spent $% individuals and groups not directl% affiliated ith the candidate or the part%


• Can $e used to circumvent limits on hard mone%

• evels the pla%ing field

• Possi$l% reduces negative issue ads

• Candidates ant to control their on campaigns

• lessens concern a$out undue influence of Efat

catsF@$u%ing of influence


• 3irst mendment

• Contrar% to ruling in $uc%ey v. &aeo

•Might lessen grassroots participation

Raising limits on individual contri%utions

• )efinition4 Increasing the dollar amount individuals ma% give to a campaign, parties, or PC:s


• imits are not inde"ed to inflation

• Candidates can spend less time fundraising

• )ecreased the influence of PC:s

• )ecreased restrictions on 3irst mendment rights

• )ecreased reliance on less-regulated forms of

campaign funds


• llos the rich to have@$u% more influence

• .oo much mone% in the process alread%

1;


15/34

!lections and Campaigns• )rives up the cost of campaigns

1


16/34

!lections and CampaignsInterest Groups1 hile interest groups and political parties each pla% a significant role in the United /tates political s%stem, the% differ in their

fundamental goalsa Identif% the fundamental goal of interest groups in the political process $ Identif% the fundamental goal of ma7or political parties in the political processc )escri$e to different a%s $% hich interest groups support the fundamental goal of political parties in the political processd 3or one of the forms of support %ou descri$ed in (c#, e"plain to different a%s in hich that form of support helps interestgroups to achieve their fundamental goal in the political process

)ifferent interest groups ill choose different techni6ues to achieve their o$7ectives $ased on their resources, characteristics, andgoalsa )escri$e each of the folloing techni6ues and e"plain h% an interest group ould choose each techni6ue

• itigation

• Campaign Contri$utions

• Grassroots lo$$%ing@mass mo$ili+ation

$ /elect one of the folloing groups and identif% the primar% techni6ue it uses from the list in part (a# !"plain h% the group%ou selected ould emplo% that techni6ue over the other to techni6ues

• merican Medical ssociation (M#

• /ierra Clu$

• 5ational 'ifle ssociation (5'#

• 5ational ssociation for the dvancement of Colored People (5CP#

Principles !rawn from Released C(s and &R'(s Interest Groups1

• Interest groups and political parties promote U/ democrac% $% lin0ing citi+ens to the political process

• 3undamental goals of interest groups include4 Influence pu$lic polic%, Influence Congress@government, Change las

• Interest groups support their goals $%4 ccess@influence polic%ma0ers, 9ave li0e-minded people@polic% advocated in office,

and egislation that helps interest groups

• .he actions that support these goals4 Monetar% contri$utions@political action committee (PC# donations,

8rgani+ation@mo$ili+ation of people, Media campaigns, Information, Independent committees@s, Independente"penditures, !ndorsement@recruitment of candidates

• Unions engaging in stri0es is recogni+ed $% la

• .he folloing groups are e"amples of those ho maintain a national lo$$%ing organi+ation in ashington )C4

!nvironmentalists, nurses, automo$ile manufacturers, automo$ile assem$l%-line or0ers

• Interest groups influence the political process $%4 lo$$%ing, contri$uting mone% to candidates, filing lasuits, appealing to

pu$lic opinion

• Interest groups are $etter a$le to articulate specific polic% positions than are political parties

• Corporate lo$$%ists influence Congress $%4 ensuring corporation:s PC:s ma0e donations to the campaigns of mem$ers in

0e% committees, meet informall% ith aids over lunch or coc0tails, $ring influential constituents to ashington to discussimportant polic% matters ith their representatives .he% do 58. have an% influence over the &udicial Branch

• .he primar% function of PC:s is to raise campaign funds to support favored candidates

• PC spending ma0es up a higher percentage of congressional campaign funds than of presidential campaign funds

• .he amount of mone% that PC:s can contri$ute directl% to a candidate is limited $% la

• In T"e 'ederaist Papers, Madison e"pressed the vie that factions are undesira$le $ut inevita$le in a free societ%

• .he folloing are the ma7or a%s that interest groups influence polic%4

1 itigation- lac0 $road popular support (num$ers or pu$ opinion# and @or lac0 influence over legislation@polic%, rightsissues involved, success esta$lishes firm precedent Campaign contri$utions- financial resources, groups that need access, narro or focused issue, $u% candidatelo%alt%@support Groups can recruit@endorse candidates that ill support their positions to run for pu$lic office, providetestimon%, and get mem$ers to or0 for candidatesJ some form PCs2 Grassroots lo$$%ing (not lo$$%ing in general#@Mass mo$ili+ation- popular support $ut lac0 of funds, popular support isstrength, re6uires less other resources (L, access#, democratic concerns (philosophical approach#; o$$%ing- are a source of information, help politicians plan political strategies for legislation, help politicians plan political strategies for reelection campaigns, are a source of ideas and innovations

1=


17/34

!lections and Campaigns

1>


18/34

!lections and CampaignsUnit I4- Institutions of /ational Government Congress2 Presidenc"2 and $ureaucrac"1

Congress

(;2< representatives and 1?? senators#D9ouse v /enate (stud% chart on page 2>< EDKe% )ifferencesF## Part% eadership Kno4 /pea0er of 9ouse, President Pro .empore, Ma7orit% and Minorit% eaders, hips, caucusB# Poers Uni6ue to the /enate

1# .reat% ratification# Confirmation of 7udicial and e"ecutive

appointments

2# .r% impeachment@conviction@removal from office;# .hese poers are uni6ue $ecause4

# onger and@or staggered terms*# 'eflects state interests

C# Poers Uni6ue to the 9ouse1# Initiate revenue $ills# Choose the President hen the !lectoral College is

deadloc0ed2# Impeachment

;# .hese poers of uni6ue $ecause4


19/34

!lections and Campaigns# Incum$enc% is the most important factor that determines hich candidate ill in an election (in more than ?N of time#

.his provides e"pertise and sta$ilit% to Congress $ut also insulates it from change1# Incum$ents in the 9ouse are more li0el% to $e reelected, hoever, $ecause /enators are more high profile and are more li0el%

to $e held accounta$le for pu$lic polic%# dvantages of incum$ents4

(a# dvertising@name recognition($# Credit claiming4 can or0 for constituents por0 $arrel or caseor0(c# Position .a0ing4 pu$lic image strengthened $ecause alread% ta0en a stand on issues relevant to their constituents

(d# Part% Identification4 voters vote on part% lines, thus ho a district tends to lean ill affect hether or not an incum$enins(e# Campaign spending4 often due to contri$utions from interest groups and PC:s

B# 3ran0ing privilege is e"tended to all mem$ers of Congress It means mem$ers of Congress can send mail to their constituents athe government:s e"pense

III# Congressional $oundaries are dran $% state legislatures (0no4 gerr%mandering, malapportionment, reapportionment, redistricting# Ecritical electionsF are most li0el% associated ith part% realignment

IV# Committees# 9ouse 'ules Committee sets conditions for de$ate and amendment of most legislation lso puts $ills on calendar for de$ateB# ppropriations Committees ($oth houses#- decides ho government mone% ill $e apportioned to federal agenciesC# 9ouse a%s and Means Committee- rites $ills concerning ta" and other pu$lic revenue)# /enate 3inance Committee-or0s ith 9ouse a%s and Means Committee to rite ta" revenue $ills!# .%pes4

1# /tanding4 handles specific polic% area Both 9ouse and /enate have them 8ften divided into su$committees (list on page

2>## &oint Committees4 oversee areas here polic% overlaps Made up of representatives and /enators2# /elect Committee4 handles specific issues, li0e an investigation or impeachment trial;# Conference Committee4 iron out differences $eteen the 9ouse and /enate version of a $ill 9ave mem$ers of $oth 9ouses

3# Committee chairs influence agenda of most committees Chair is a mem$er of ma7orit% part% and is the most senior mem$er ofma7orit% part% of committee Minorit% part% mem$er ith longest tenure called ran0ing mem$er .he /eniorit% s%stem as aformal rules used to select hairs, $ut is no longer a re6uirement

V# 9o Bill Becomes a (see handout#4I1 Possi%le &R'(s for Unit I4- Congress

1 Both part% leadership and committees in Congress pla% 0e% roles in the legislative processa )efine to of the folloing elements of the congressional committee s%stems and e"plain ho each influences the legislative process

• /peciali+ation

• 'eciprocit%@logrolling• Part% representation on committees

$ Identif% to a%s part% leadership in Congress can influence the legislative process, and e"plain ho each a% influences the process

.he framers of the United /tates Constitution created a legislative s%stem that is $icameral 9oever, it is not 7ust $icameralJ theframers also esta$lished to houses of distinctl% different character and authorit%a )iscuss to reasons h% the framers created a $icameral legislature $ Identif% one poer uni6ue to the 9ouse of 'epresentatives and e"plain h% the framers gave the 9ouse that poerc Identif% one poer uni6ue to the /enate and e"plain h% the framers gave the /enate that poer

2 Congressional reapportionment and redistricting are conducted ever% ten %ears hen redistricting is conducted, politicians oftenengage in gerr%manderinga )efine congressional reapportionment and e"plain one reason h% it is important to states $ )efine congressional redistricting

c !"plain to goals of politicians hen the% gerr%mander during redistrictingd )escri$e to limits that the U/ /upreme Court has placed on congressional redistricting; In the United /tates Congress, the ma7orit% part% e"erts a su$stantial influence over lama0ing 9oever, even hen one part% has

numerical ma7orit% in each cham$er of the United /tates Congress, there is no guarantee that legislation supported $% that ma7orit% part% ill $e passed $% $oth cham$ers 'ules of each cham$er independentl% influence the li0elihood that legislation ill pass in thcham$erJ legislation passed $% one cham$er is not ala%s passed $% another

a )escri$e to advantages the ma7orit% part% in the United /tates 9ouse of 'epresentatives has in lama0ing, a$ove and $e%ond the numerical advantage that the ma7orit% part% en7o%s in floor voting $ )escri$e to differences $eteen 9ouse and /enate rules that ma% ma0e it li0el% that legislation ma% pass in one cham$er $ut not in the otherc# !"plain ho the differences identified in ($# can lead to the passage of a $ill in one cham$er $ut not in the other

1


20/34

!lections and CampaignsPrinciples !rawn from Released C(s and &R'(s U/I0 I48 Congress1

Representatives and Senators

• Mem$ers of Congress are directl% elected $% registered voters

• .he most important varia$le in determining the outcome of an election for a mem$er of the 9ouse has $een incum$enc%Q• Incum$ents have an advantage over challengers $ecause the% can use staff mem$ers to do services for their constituents (individual

voters#QQ, the% are $etter 0non to voters, the% find it much easier to raise campaign funds than challengers, and the% often serve oncommittees that ena$le them to help their constituenc%

• !lections in the 9ouse of 'epresentatives provide approximatey e6ual representation for ever% voter•

Communication $eteen congressional representatives and constituents occurs mainl% through the personal staffs of representatives• Mem$ers of Congress )8 58. receive government funds for their campaigns (onl% Presidents#5ouse vs. Senate comparison and contrast1

.he framers created a $icameral ma7orit% $ecause4o Compromise at Constitutional Convention (representation of large vs small population states#

o Compromise among competing interests@protect minorit% inter


21/34

!lections and Campaigns• .he poer of the Q'ules committee in the 9ouse of 'epresentatives rests on its authorit% to place a $ill on a legislative calendar,

limit time for de$ate, and determine the t%pe of amendments alloed• .he role of conference committees is to reconcile differences in $ills passed $% the 9ouse and /enate• .he details of legislation are usuall% or0ed out in su$committees

• Most of the $ills introduced in the 9ouse and the /enate are then referred to committee $ut never sent to the full Congress• .he influence of committee chairs has decreased in Congress over the past tent% %ears

• .he congressional s%stem of standing committees is significant $ecause it fosters the development of e"pertise $% mem$ers.he% are $est descri$ed as permanent sub,ect-matter committees Q

•

/tanding committees tend to oversee the $ureaucrac%:s implementation of legislationCongress in Action Powers of Congress1• )e$ate of a $ill in the 9ouse of 'epresentatives under a Eclosed ruleF means that amendments to the $ill ma% not $e offered• EPor0 BarrelF legislation helps the reelection chances of a mem$er of Congress $ecause such legislation helps earn a mem$er of

Congress a reputation for service to his or her district• Ecloture notionF passed in the /enate cuts off de$ate on a $ill• Congress is empoered to create ne federal courts and specif% the num$er of 7udges ho ill sit on them

• .he legislative process is fre6uentl% length%, decentrali+ed, and characteri+ed $% compromise and $argaining• 8ne of the formal tools used $% Congress for oversight of the $ureaucrac% is authori+ation of spending

• .he congressional poer that has $een contested most fre6uentl% in the federal courts is the poer to regulate interstatecommerce (thin04 Gibbons vs. #!den#

• Congressional reapportionment is4 .he reallocation of the num$er of representatives each state has in the 9ouse of'epresentatives

• Congressional reapportionment is important to states $ecause4• 'eapportionment increases or decreases the num$er of seats a state has in the 9ouse@Congress (not the /enate#

• More representatives mean that a state has more influence

• 'eapportionment increases or decreases a state:s num$er of electoral votes

• .he draing@redraing of 9ouse@congressional (not /enate# district lines

• .he primar% goal of politicians hen the% gerr%mander is4

o .o enhance political part% strength@to minimi+e the strength of the opposition part%

o .o protect incum$ents@to discourage challengers

o .o increase minorit% representation@to decrease minorit% representation

o .o punish foes@to reard friends

1


22/34

!lections and CampaignsPresidenc"

.erms4 line-item veto,


23/34

U5I. IV (Congress#- Principles )ran from 'eleased MC H:s and 3'T:s .rosper

Possi%le &R'(s for Unit I4- Executive $ranc

1 .he concept of Edivided government in the United /tates means that one political part% can control the e"ecutive $ranch hileanother controls the legislative $ranch .his poses pro$lems for the President in ma0ing appointments to federal offices(a# )escri$e to pro$lems that divided government poses for the President in ma0ing federal appointments($# Identif% and e"plain to a%s Presidents tr% to overcome the pro$lems descri$ed in (a#

Presidential approval ratings fluctuate over the course of each presidential administration(a# Identif% to factors that decrease presidential approval ratings, and e"plain h% each factor has that effect($# Identif% to factors that increase presidential approval ratings, and e"plain h% each factor has that effect

2 Presidents are generall% thought to have advantages over Congress in conducting foreign polic% $ecause of the formal andinformal poers of the presidenc%(a# Identif% to formal constitutional poers of the President in ma0ing foreign polic%($# Indentif% to formal constitutional poers of Congress in ma0ing foreign polic%(c# Identif% to informal poers of the President that contri$ute to the President:s advantage over Congress in conductingforeign polic%(d# !"plain ho each of the informal poers identified in (c# contri$utes to the President:s advantage over Congress inconducting foreign polic%

; Conflicts $eteen Congress and the President over ar poers have their origin in the United /tates Constitution In 1>2Congress passed the ar Poers 'esolution in an attempt to clarif% the $alance of poers $eteen the to $ranches ofgovernment

a#)escri$e the primar% constitutional conflict $eteen Congress and the President over the decision to go to ar $# )escri$e to provisions of the ar Poers 'esolution that ere designed to limit the President:s poer over ar ma0ingc#.he ar Poers 'esolutions has received mi"ed revies, $ut Congress has other poers over ar ma0ing 8ther than theConstitutional poer that %ou descri$ed in a, identif% and e"plain to other formal poers Congress has over ar ma0ing


24/34


• .he folloing procedures result in impeachment4 .he 9ouse votes for impeachment and the /enate conducts a trial and reaches a

guilt% verdict

• .he folloing have resulted in an increase in presidential poer in the post-1;< era4 tensions $eteen the United /tates and the

/oviet Union during the Cold ar period, an increase in pu$lic e"pectations for services from the federal government, economicand domestic pro$lems such as inflation, unemplo%ment, and civil rights issues, increasing United /tates involvement ininternational affairs

ccepta$le identifications of e"plicit, formal constitutional poers of the President in foreign polic% ma% include4

• Commander-in-chief, poer to commit troops

• ppointment of am$assadors and foreign polic%

officials

• 5egotiate@ma0e treaties

• 'ecognition of nations

• 'eceive am$assadors and other pu$lic ministers

ccepta$le identifications of informal poers of the Presidentma% include4

• !"ecutive greements

• ccess to media@$ull% pulpit@morale $uilding

• genda setting

• Meet ith orld leaders

• Crisis manager

• International coalition $uilding

• President has access to more information, 0noledge, o

e"pertise than does Congress

• 'ecogni+ed as glo$al leader

• Poers of President over domestic polic%4

o egislative poers (veto, poc0et veto, signing legislation#

o /tate of the Union address

o ppointment poer(to a domestic office#

o Calling Congress into session

o Commander-in-chief role

President and Congress

• president ma% persuade recalcitrant mem$ers of Congress to vote for a particular $ill $% ma0ing a direct appeal to the pu$lic

through the mass mediaQ 9e also can assign legislative liaisons in the !"ecutive 8ffice of the President to lo$$% legislators,e"ploiting a partisan ma7orit% for the President:s part% in $oth the 9ouse and /enate, and reminding legislators of high popularit%ratings for the President in pu$lic opinion polls

• Invocation of the ar Poers ct of 1>2 ould $e most important in determining the nature of the commitment of the United /tat

militar% to a peace-0eeping role in the orld It as designed to assure congressional involvement in decisions committing militar%forces in hostile situations overseas It specified that the President must $ring troops home from hostilities ithin =? to ? da%s unleCongress e"tends the timeQQ

•Provisions of ar Poers ct4

o .he President must notif% Congress ithin ;* hours of sending troops into com$at

o President must consult ith Congress henever feasi$le

o Conflicts are limited to =? da%s unless Congress ta0es action

o Congress can e"tend time from the initial =? da%s or can ithdra troops after =? da%s ith ade6uate notification to the

President

• Poers of Congress in ar Ma0ing4

o Passing las

o ppropriations (an% mention of EfundingF#

o Confirmation of nominees

o Impeachment

o .reat% ratification

o Congressional oversight (hearings or investigations#

• In tr%ing to influence legislation, the President is usuall% more successful than congressional leaders in using the media to set the

polic% agenda

• .he President has advantages over Congress in the area of foreign polic% $ecause

o ccepta$le e"planations of the President:s advantage over Congress ma% include4

o Persuade Congress4 negotiate, offer support, threats, etc

o Persuade pu$lic4 (various means of persuasion# on foreign polic% process@issues (eg, appl% pressure to Congress#

o $ilit% to circumvent the formal process

• Informal Poers of Congress in foreign polic%

o Confirm am$assadors

;


25/34


o Poer of the purse in militar%@foreign polic% matters

o )eclare ar

o Pass las@resolutions regarding foreign polic% issues

o 'egulate foreign commerce (including trade agreements#

o 'atif% treaties

$ureaucrac"

• .he President has difficult% controlling ca$inet-level agencies for the folloing reasons4 gencies often has political support from

interest groups, agenc% staff often have information and technical e"pertise that the President and his@her advisers lac0, civil

servants ho remain in the administration through changes of administration develop lo%alt% to their agencies, Congress is acompetitor for influence over the $ureaucrac%

• n advantage that $ureaucrats in federal government have over the President in the polic%ma0ing process is that $ureaucrats

usuall% have a continuit% of service in the e"ecutive $ranch that the President lac0s

• .he usefulness to the President of having ca$inet mem$ers as political advisers is undermined $% the fact that the lo%alties of

ca$inet mem$ers are often divided $eteen lo%alt% to the President and lo%alt% to their on e"ecutive departments

• 8ne of the formal tools used $% Congress for oversight of the $ureaucrac% is authori+ation of spending

• 'easons h% Congress gives federal agencies polic%-ma0ing discretion in e"ecuting federal las include4

• Congress lac0s e"pertise@agencies have e"pertise

• Congress does not ant to $e $lamed for $ad polic%

• .ime-consuming

• !asier to come to agreement

• More efficient

•

• a%s in hich Congress ensures that federal agencies follo legislative intent include4

o 8versight

o Budget@appropriati

onso 9earings

o Investigations

o Government

ccounta$ilit%8ffice (G8#

o Change la

o egislative veto

o Caseor0

o /unset las@reauthori+ation@dissolve agencies@create ne agencies

Q Tuestion seen on to released testsQQ Tuestion seen on three released tests


26/34


Unit 4- Pu%lic Polic"I# !ntitlement spending is the largest portion of Euncontrolla$le spendingF in the federal $udget ($ecause nondiscretionar%#

# 3ederal $enefits that must $e funded $% Congress and must $e paid to all citi+ens ho meet eligi$ilit% criteria are calledEindividual entitlementsF

Possi%le &R'(s for Unit 4- Pu%lic Polic"

1 In recent decades, entitlement programs have constituted a su$stantial portion of the United /tates federal $udget, /ocial/ecurit% is the largest entitlement program in the United /tates 3rom the information in the chart a$ove and %our 0noledgeof United /tates government and politics, perform the folloing tas0s

a# define entitlement program $# hat is the primar% source of revenue for the /ocial /ecurit% programHc# Identif% one threat to the future of the /ocial /ecurit% program should the trends depicted in the chart a$ove continued# )escri$e one demographic trend that threatens the future of the /ocial /ecurit% program 5) e"plain ho it is

responsi$le for the threat that %ou identified in (c#e# !"plain ho an% one of the trends in the c hart a$ove ould change if the age of eligi$ilit% for /ocial /ecurit% ere

raised 3iscal Polic% and Monetar% polic% are to tools used $% the federal government to influence the United /tates econom% .he

e"ecutive and legislative $ranches share the responsi$ilit% of setting fiscal polic% .he 3ederal 'eserve Board has the primar%role of setting monetar% polic%a# )efine fiscal polic% $# )escri$e one significant a% the e"ecutive $ranch influences fiscal polic%c# )escri$e one significant a% the legislative $ranch influences fiscal polic%d# )efine monetar% polic%e# !"plain to reasons h% the 3ederal 'eserve Board is given independence in esta$lishing monetar% polic%

2 num$er of factors ena$le presidents to e"ert influence over Congress in the area of domestic polic% 9oever, presidents arealso limited in their influence over domestic polic%ma0ing in Congress

a# .he Constitution grants the president certain enumerated poers )escri$e to of these formal poers that ena$le the president to e"ert influence over domestic polic% $# Choose to of the folloing )efine each term and e"plain ho each limits the president:s a$ilit% to influence domestic polic%ma0ing in Congress

• Mandator% spending

• Part% polari+ation

• ame-duc0 period

=


27/34


; Using the information in the figure a$ove and %our 0noledge of United /tates policies, complete the folloing tas0sa# )escri$e hat the figure a$ove demonstrates a$out the distri$ution of government $enefits over time $# Identif% to politicall% relevant factors that have affected the changing distri$ution of government $enefits $eteen children

and the elderl%c# !"plain ho each of the to factors identified in ($# has affected the changing distri$ution of government $enefits

Principles of Released C(s and &R'(s Unit 4- Pu%lic Polic"1

• .he activities of the 3ederal 'eserve $oard have the most direct influence on $an0 interest rates

• .he 8ffice of Management and Budget is responsi$le for the preparation of e"ecutive spending proposals su$mitted to

Congress

• .he $est predictor of a department:s annual $udget (li0e the department of !ducation#is the si+e of the previous %ear:s

$udget

• Independent regulator% commissions are created primaril% for the purpose of regulating industries to protect the pu$lic:sinterest

• )iversit% of pu$lic polic% throughout the United /tates is primaril% a conse6uence of federalism

• 3iscal polic% is ta"ing and@or spending

• .he !"ecutive Branch has control over fiscal polic% through4 .he $udget, .he president proposes@prepares the federal

$udget, .he president signs@vetoes legislation (related to ta"ing, spending, and $orroing, not generic#, .he hite 9ouse8ffice of Management and Budget (8MB# recommend the $udget

• .he egislative Branch has control over fiscal polic% through4 Congress passes the federal $udget, Congress acts on ta" and

spending legislation, .he Congressional Budget 8ffice (CB8# advises Congress on !conomic policies

• Monetar% polic% is4 'egulating the mone% suppl%, Controlling inflation@deflation, d7usting interest rates to regulate the

econom%, d7usting $an0 reserve re6uirements, .he cost of mone%,

• .he 3ederal 'eserve is given independence in decision-ma0ing $ecause4 It removes politics from monetar% polic% decision

ma0ing, Congress@the president can a$dicate responsi$ilit% for difficult decisions $% delegating decision-ma0ing poer, .he3ederal 'eserve Board relies on e"pertise hen ma0ing decisions, .he 3ederal 'eserve Board ma0es economic policiesefficientl%

• !ntitlement programs are government-sponsored programs providing mandated@guaranteed@re6uired $enefits to those ho

meet eligi$ilit% re6uirements@6ualifications

• .he primar% source of revenue for /ocial /ecurit% is4 Pa%roll ta"es, ages from e"isting age earners, .a" $ased on earned

income, .argeted@earmar0ed ta"es

• .hreats to the future of the /ocial /ecurit% program include4 'un out of mone%, 8utputs e"ceed inputs, )eclining reserve

• )emographic trends affecting /ocial /ecurit%4 More older people@F$a$% $oomF generation, People living longer@greater life

e"pectanc%, )eclining $irth rates

>


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• ho is responsi$le for these threatsH .he num$er of or0ers ho fund /ocial /ecurit% is decreasing, $ut the num$er of

people eligi$le for /ocial /ecurit% is increasing, .he num$er of or0ing people cannot support the large population ho illsoon reach the age of eligi$ilit% to receive /ocial /ecurit%, .he ratio of or0ers to retirees is $ecoming more une6ual ithfeer or0ers, less mone% is $eing paid in, and ith more retirees, more mone% is $eing paid out

• .he trends ould change if the age of eligi$ilit% for /ocial /ecurit% ere raised $ecause if people ere to or0 longer, less

mone% ould $e paid out@more mone% ould $e paid in@the reserve ould not decline as rapidl% or as much

*


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Unit 4I- arren Court $ecame activel% involved in e"panding civil rights and li$erties

0 .he $urger Court as more conservative $ut still upheld alloed a$ortion in 1oe v. 2ade

3 .he Ren?uist Court $ecame more conservative and $egan to limit some of the li$eral rulings from the previous to courtsII# Civil i$erties .he legal constitutional protections against the government

A '!VI! .9! /C C/!/ 3'8M .9! I/. GIV!5 8U. I5 C// hile revieing, as0 self4 In hat a%s erethe folloing incorporated to the statesH rights of criminal defendants, 3irst mendment, privac% rights

$ )efine selective incorporation- gradual interpretation, one case at a time, that interpreted the 3ourteenth mendment ase"tending most of the re6uirements of the Bill of 'ights to the states, as ell as the federal government

C 3irst mendment (religion#* < components4 speech, press, religion, assem$l%, petition4 parts of freedom of religion4 esta$lishment clause (Eall of separationF principle# and free e"ercise clause (no one

ma% interfere ith one:s right to practice religion of choice#5 6emon v. Kurt7man (1>1#4 .he /C set up a test for alloing federal funding of parochial schools4 /ecular purpose,

5either enhances nor inhi$its religion, 5o e"cessive entanglement $eteen government and religion / 3irst mendment (/peech# Kno4 prior restraint, s%m$olic speech

* .he /upreme Court has ta0en the folloing positions ith regard to freedom of speech4(a# a restriction of freedom of speech ill ala%s $e vieed ith s0epticism($# government has an o$ligation to tr% to ensure citi+ens the right to $e heard(c# the right of free speech is a fundamental natural right(d# the first amendment protects free speech from incursions of $oth the federal and state governments (due to hat

doctrineH#4 /ome have argued that the legislature ma% ma0e Eno laF $ridging freedom of speech or the press, there has $een at

least ; forms of spea0ing and riting not automaticall% granted full protection4(a# i$el ($# 8$scenit% (c# /%m$olic

speech(d# 3alse

advertising5 /peech is limited if it presents a Eclear and present dangerF8 Permissi$le to advocate the violent overthro of government in a$stract, $ut not to incite an%one to imminent laless

action9 /peech is generall% protected in pu$lic places, $ut usuall% not on another:s private propert%: 8$scenit%4 .he /C has made it clear that nudit% and se" are not, $% definition, o$scene, and that the% ill provide 3irst

mendment protection to an%thing that has political, literar%, or artistic merit, alloing the government to punish onl%the distri$ution of Ehard-core pornograph%F

a1 !ecisions on o%scenit" are %ased on local communit" standards.

E 3ifth mendment, etc - )ue Process of a (Part III# K584 ; th,


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($# !6ual results4 same reardsG 'ight of Privac% (Part V#

* 1oe v. 2ade and Griswod v. Connecticut ere $ased on the right to privac% impied in the Bill of 'ightsIII# Civil 'ights- policies that e"tend $asic rights to protect people against ar$itrar% or discriminator% treatment $% government or $%

other individuals A Kno4 ;th mendment, 1th mendment $ Civil 'ights ct of 1=;

* Made racial discrimination illegal in hotels, restaurants, and other pu$lic accommodation4 3or$ade emplo%ment discrimination $ased on race

5 Created !6ual !mplo%ment 8pportunit% Commission (!!8C#C Prevention tactics designed to 0eep Blac0s from voting in /outh4 iterac% tests, Poll ta"es, Grandfather clauses, )ilution of votin

strength through redistricting, hite primaries, !lection procedures (notification, access# / .actics of frican mericans to achieve e6ualit%4 )emonstrations@ protests@ pu$lic rallies@civil diso$edience (sit-ins, Efreedom

ridesF#, 8rgani+ed interest-group activit% (eg, 5CP#, ECivil 'ights, eventuall%, $ecame less a matter of gaining entr% into the political s%stem and more one of aging interest group politics ithin that s%stemF, Courts@litigation, Bo%cotts, !lection activitiesother than voting (campaigning, donating#

E Voting 'ights ct of 1=< as one of the $est implemented acts $ecause it had a ell-defined mission and contained sufficientsupport to carr% out its provisions It resulted in a greater participation of voter registration $% frican merican voters in the/outh

' .itle I of the !ducation mendments ct of 1> 5o person in the United /tates shall, on the $asis of se", $e e"cluded from participation in, $e denied the $enefits of, or $e su$7ected to discrimination under an% education program or activit% receiving3ederal financial assistance

G Most visi$le in high school and college athletics

@e" Cases to @now8

1# $a%er v. Carr - Eone person one voteF# $arron v. $atimore- In this ruling, the /upreme Court ruled that the Bill of 'ights did not appl% to the states2# $etts v. $rady- Betts as indicted for ro$$er% in Mar%land n indigent, he as una$le to afford counsel and re6uested one $e

appointed for him .he 7udge in the case denied the re6uest, and Betts su$se6uentl% pled not guilt% hile maintaining he had aright to counsel and arguing his on defense .he Court ruled that the previousl% discovered right to counsel provided $% thefourteenth amendment does not compel states to provide counsel to an% defendant &ustice 8en 'o$erts opinion asserted thatthe right to counsel merel% prevented the state from interfering in a defendant:s re6uest for representation rather than re6uiring state to offer counsel

;# $rown v. $oard of Education- .his /upreme Court ruling held that segregated schools violated Eseparate $ut e6ualF and asunconstitutional

# Everson v. $oard of Education- announced Eall of separationF principle )ecision upheld a 5e &erse% program thatesta$lished the precedent that a state ma% provide, ith pu$lic mone%, $us transportation services to and from school to studentin parochial schools

*# Gideon v. 2ainri!"t- .his /upreme Court case re6uired that attorne%s $e provided to citi+ens as part of their due process rights!"tended right of attorne% to felon% charges, not 7ust federal crimes 8verturned $etts v. $rady

# Gitow v. ;ew


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1# Miranda v. Ari7ona- .his /upreme Court ruling esta$lished the re6uirement that criminal suspects $e read their rights at the timof their arrest 'emain silent and right to an attorne%

1*# Panned Parent"ood v. Casey- .he Penns%lvania legislature amended its a$ortion control la in 1** and 1* mong the ne provisions, the la re6uired informed consent and a ; hour aiting period prior to the procedure minor see0ing an a$ortionre6uired the consent of one parent (the la allos for a 7udicial $%pass procedure# married oman see0ing an a$ortion had tindicate that she notified her hus$and of her intention to a$ort the fetus .hese provisions ere challenged $% several a$ortionclinics and ph%sicians federal appeals court upheld all the provisions e"cept for the hus$and notification re6uirement .heCourt again reaffirmed 'oe, $ut it upheld most of the Penns%lvania provisions 3or the first time, the 7ustices imposed a nestandard to determine the validit% of las restricting a$ortions .he ne standard as0s hether a state a$ortion regulation has th purpose or effect of imposing an undue $urden, hich is defined as a su$stantial o$stacle in the path of a oman see0ing ana$ortion $efore the fetus attains via$ilit% Under this standard, the onl% provision to fail the undue-$urden test as the hus$andnotification re6uirement .he opinion for the Court as uni6ue4 It as crafted and authored $% three 7ustices

1# Pessy v. 'er!uson- esta$lished Eseparate $ut e6ualF

?# 1oe v. 2ade- made a$ortion legal and essentiall% for$ade an% restrictions during the 1st

trimester1# Sc"en% v. US - government can limit speech if it provides Eclear and present dangerF of evils Congress has a right to prevent# Swann v. C"arotte-Mec%enbur! - .his ruling esta$lished that $ussing to overcome de facto segregation as unconstitutional2# University of Caifornia 1e!ents v. $a%%e- .his landmar0 ruling on affirmative action declared the use of 6uotas to $e

unconstitutional;# Texas v. =o"nson- In this ruling the /upreme Court 7ustices declared that s%m$olic speech (li0e flag $urning# should $e the most

protected form of speech


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• .he United /tates electoral s%stem

$ Identif% one feature of one of the folloing and e"plain ho that feature might present opportunities to racial minorit% groups intheir efforts to achieve political goals

• federalism

• the United /tates political part% s%stem

• .he United /tates electoral s%stem

2 Initiall%, the United /ates Constitution did little to protect citi+ens from actions of the states In the tentieth centur%, the /upremCourt interpreted the Constitution to protect the rights of citi+ens from state governments in a process referred to as incorporationa )efine selective incorporation $ 3or to of the folloing, e"plain ho each has $een incorporated !ach of %our e"planations must $e $ased on a specific andrelevant /upreme Court decision

• rights of criminal defendants

• 3irst mendment

• privac% rights

; .he 3irst mendment includes to clauses relating to the freedom of religiona /elect one of the folloing cases and identif% the 3irst mendment clause upon hich the United /tates /upreme Court $ased itsdecision

• En!e v. &itae (school pra%er#

• 6emon v. Kurt7man (state funding for private religious schools#

$ )escri$e the /upreme Court:s decision in the case that %ou selected in (a#c /elect one of the folloing cases and identif% the 3irst mendment clause upon hich the /upreme Court $ased its decision

• 1eynods v. U.S. (pol%gam%#

• #re!on v. Smit" (drug use in religious ceremonies#

d )escri$e the /upreme Court:s decision in the case that %ou selected in (c#e Man% of these decisions have caused controvers% in the U/ )escri$e to a%s in hich other political institutions might limitthe impact of /upreme Court decisions

E.he right of citi+ens of the United /tates to vote shall not $e denied or a$ridged $% the United /tates or $% an% state on account of race,

color, or previous condition of servitudeF 'ifteent" Amendment to t"e United States Constitution( 1*>?


33/34


o /alaries cannot $e reduced o imited access to Court proceedings

• .he% do not deviate too far from pu$lic opinion, though $ecause4

o .he appointment and@or confirmation process (no point ifs given if the response sa%s that the 9ouse confirms, $ut if th

response sa%s Congress confirms, this is accepta$le# If the appointment and confirmation $oth processes are full%discussed as to /!P'.! processes, the response ma% earn points for $oth

o 'eliance on other pu$lic officials to e"ecute decisions

o .he fact that the /upreme Court can $e overruled ith ne las or constitutional amendments (E5e lasF do not

include Congress:s general poer to rite legislation#

o .he concern for reputation-individual reputation and@or that of the /upreme Court concern fro credi$ilit%@legitimac% the institution falls into this categor%

o .he potential for the impeachment of 7udges

o Congressional control of the /upreme Court:s appellate 7urisdiction and@or changing the num$er of 7ustices on the

Court

Civil 'ights and Civil i$erties

• .he exclusionar" rule in the court s%stem has $een detrimental to the maintenance of la and order, according to man%

• )ue process protects a citi+en from imprisonment ithout a trial

• .he federal Constitution guarantees all of the folloing rights to a person arrested and charged ith a serious crime4 remain

silent, $e represented $% a la%er, demand a rit of ha$eas corpus, and receive a speed% and pu$lic trial

• iterac% tests in the /outh ere designed to prevent Blac0 people from e"ercising their right to vote

!"ample4 E.he Constitution limits the si+e of the )istrict of Colum$ia to YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYF

• In U.S. v. ;ixon, the /upreme Court ruled that there is no constitutional guarantee of un6ualified e"ecutive privilege

• .he Miranda 'ights ere a result of the folloing /upreme Court decision4 Miranda v. Ari7ona It attempted to protect crimin

suspects against unfair police interrogation

• 3irst mendment4 .he /upreme Court has ta0en the folloing positions ith regard to freedom of speech4 a restriction of

freedom of speech ill ala%s $e vieed ith s0epticism, government has an o$ligation to tr% to ensure citi+ens the right to $eheard, the right of free speech is a fundamental natural right, the first amendment protects free speech from incursions of $oth thfederal and state governments

• En!e v. &itae

o /truc0 don state-sponsored pra%er in school

o /tate-sponsored or state-organi+ed pra%er to get

credit

o .he pra%er in the case had some t%pe of official

government $ac0ing@sponsorship@sanctiono )o not have to specif% Epu$lic schoolsF to get

credit

• 6emon v. Kurt7man

o /truc0 don state funding for private religious schools (more specificall%, it struc0 don state funding to pa% parochial

teachers to give instruction in secular su$7ects#o .here are certain conditions or criteria that are used in determining if a government practice does not violate the

esta$lishment clause Conditions@criteria ma% include4 /ecular purpose 5either enhances

nor inhi$its religionZ 5o e"cessive entanglement $eteengovernment and religion

• 1eynods v. United States4

o .he decision restricted@$anned@disalloed pol%gam%

• #re!on v. Smit" is4

o .he decisions restricted@$anned drug use in religious ceremonies

• .he !sta$lishment clause of the 3irst mendment prohi$its the setting up of a state church

• Eseparate $ut e6ualF as upheld $% Pessy v. 'er!uson( *>?: Initiall% affected onl% schools here segregation as

mandated $% la

• .he mendments to the Constitution ratified during 'econstruction ere primaril% designed to protect the rights of Blac0

citi+ens against infringement $% state governments

• $a%er v. Carr involves the principle of Eone person, one voteF

22


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• .o enforce the 3ourteenth mendment more clearl%, the Congress passed the Civil 'ights ct of 1=; )iscrimination in

pu$lic accommodations as made illegal in the U/ as a direct result of the Civil 'ights ct of 1=;

• In the U/, most criminal cases end in a plea $argain negotiated $% the defense and prosecution

• .he 3ourteenth mendment to the Constitution has $een interpreted $% the /upreme Court to ma0e most rights contained in

the Bill of 'ights applica$le to the states

• .he 3reedom of Information ct as designed primaril% to give citi+ens access to information from the e"ecutive $ranch

• In upholding federal statues outlaing segregation in pu$lic accommodations the /upreme Court argued that such

segregation affected interstate commerce, and Congress therefore had the authorit% to outla it• .he /upreme Court:s decision a$out a$ortion in 1oe v. 2ade as $ased on the right to privac% impied in the Bill of 'ights

Griswod v. Connecticut and 1oe v. 2ade are similar /upreme Court cases in that $oth cases are $ased on the right of privac%

• Protection of the legal rights of omen has $een facilitated $% the passage of the !6ual Pa% ct of 1=2, the Civil 'ights ct

of 1=;, and the !ducation mendments ct of 1>

• .he /upreme Court decision declaring state-mandated school segregation to $e unconstitutional did the most to e"pand civil

rights in the 1

Documents

Review Guide for AP US Govt and Politics Exam