AP GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS:
2024/25 REVIEW
Exam Date: May 6th, beginning at 12:00PM
Congratulations! You’ve made it through your AP U.S. Government course and are now ready to prepare for the AP Exam. These tips and strategies should help you in the final days or weeks before taking the exam. Remember that preparing for the Exam is a bit like training for a marathon--you won’t do as well if you wait and cram a lot of training into the day before the Exam. Working at a reasonable pace from now until test day will pay off in the end.
The Format of the Exam: Let’s begin by looking at a breakdown of how the AP US Government Exam is structured:
Questions
Time Allowed
Percentage of Grade
55 Multiple Choice Questions
80 minutes to complete
50%
4 Free Response Questions
100 minutes to complete
50%
The questions on the test will cover topics from the whole course. However, in the multiple-choice section, you’ll find that certain subjects come up more often:
Subject
Percentage of the Exam
Unit I: Foundations of Democracy
15-22%
Unit 2: Interaction Among the Branches
25-36%
Unit 3: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
13-18%
Unit 4: Political and Ideological Beliefs
10-15%
Unit 5: Political Participation
20-27%
________________
15 Required Supreme Court Cases:
* Marbury v. Madison-1803
* McCulloch v. Maryland-1819
* Schenck v. US-1919
* Brown v. Board of Ed-1954
* Baker v. Carr-1962
* Engel v. Vitale-1962
* Gideon v. Wainwright-1963
* Tinker v. Des Moines-1969
* NY Times Co. v. US-1971
* Wisconsin v. Yoder-1972
* Shaw v. Reno-1993
* US. v. Lopez-1995
* McDonald v. Chicago-2010
* Citizens United v. FEC-2010
Required Documents:
* The Declaration of Independence
* The Articles of Confederation
* The Constitution of the United States
* Federalist #10
* Brutus #1
* Federalist #51
* Federalist #70
* Federalist # 78
* Letter from a Birmingham Jail
Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy: 25-36% of the AP EXAM
More than 200 years after the US Constitution was ratified, the compromises that were necessary for ratification continue to fuel debate and discussion over how best to protect liberty, equality, order, and private property. Unit I sets the foundation for the course by examining how the framers of the Constitution set up a structure of government intended to stand the test of time. Compromises were made during the convention and ratification debates, and these compromises focused on the proper balance between individual freedom, social order, and equality of opportunity.
The Constitution:
The U.S. Constitution arose out of important historical and philosophical ideas and preferences regarding popular sovereignty and limited government. A balance between governmental power and individual rights has been a hallmark of American political development.
Explain how democratic ideals are reflected in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
The U.S. government is based on ideas of limited government, including natural rights, popular sovereignty, republicanism and the social contract.
The Declaration of Independence, drafted by Jefferson with help from Adams and Franklin, provides a foundation for popular sovereignty, while the U.S. Constitution drafted at the Philadelphia Convention provides the blueprint for a unique form of political democracy in the U.S.
Define:
* natural rights:
* popular sovereignty:
* republicanism:
* social contract:
Explain how models of representative democracy are visible in major institutions, policies, or debates in the U.S.
Representative democracies can take several forms along this scale.
Define:
* Participatory democracy:
* Pluralist democracy:
* Elite democracy:
Discuss the five Madisonian Principles of a representative democracy that continue to be reflected in contemporary institutions and political behavior.
Define and provide an example:
* Federalism:
* Popular Sovereignty:
* Checks and Balances:
* Separation of Powers:
* Limited Government:
The Constitution emerged from the debate about weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation as a blueprint for limited government. Federalist and Anti-Federalist views on central government and democracy are reflected in U.S. foundational documents.
Madison’s arguments in Federalist No. 10 focused on the superiority of a large republic in controlling the “mischiefs of faction,” delegating authority to elected representatives and dispersing power between the states and national government.
* What is a faction?
* What is the source of factions?
* How are factions controlled?
Anti-Federalist writings, including Brutus No. 1, adhered to popular democratic theory that emphasized the benefits of a small decentralized republic while warning of the dangers to personal liberty from a large, centralized government.
* Why were the Anti-Federalists reluctant to sign the new Constitution?
Identify specific problems in the Articles of Confederation and specifically how they were corrected in the Constitution.
Describe the competing interests that led to each of the following compromises deemed necessary for adoption and ratification of the Constitution
* Great (Connecticut) Compromise:
* Electoral College:
* Three-Fifths Compromise:
* Compromise on the importation of slaves:
The Constitutional Basis of Federalism: Although the term federalism is not found in the Constitution, it is clearly defined in the enumerated, concurrent and reserved powers of the national and state governments.
Define and give an example of each:
* Enumerated powers:
* Implied powers:
* Inherent powers:
* Reserved powers:
Describe the general obligations that each state has to every other state under the Constitution.
* Interstate relations
* Full Faith and Credit Clause
* Privileges and Immunities Clause
* Extradition
The Constitution creates a complex competitive policy-making process to ensure the people’s will is represented and that freedom is preserved.
Explain the ideas represented in Federalist No. 51.
Explain the implications of separation of powers and “checks and balances” for the U.S. political system.
Federalism reflects the dynamic distribution of power between the national and state governments.
Explain how societal needs affect the constitutional allocation of power between the national and state governments.
The distribution of power between federal and state governments changes to meet the needs of society, as reflected by grants, incentives, and aid programs, including federal revenue sharing, mandates, categorical grants, and block grants.
Each of the following is an element of Fiscal Federalism. Define and provide an example of each:
* Grants-in-aid:
* Categorical Grants:
* Block Grants:
* Mandates:
Explain how the appropriate balance of power between national and state governments has been interpreted differently over time.
Explain the difference between Dual Federalism to Cooperative Federalism.
The interpretation of the 10th and 14th Amendments, the commerce clause, the necessary and proper clause, and other enumerated and implied powers is at the heart of the debate over the balance of power between the national and state governments.
Define and explain the impact on federalism:
* Commerce clause
* The necessary and proper clause
Explain how the 10th and 14th Amendments create conflicts between state and national governments.
The balance of power between the national and state governments has changed over time based on U.S. Supreme Court interpretations.
Explain how each of the following decisions changed the balance of power between national and state governments
* McCulloch v. Maryland:
* United States v. Lopez:
Key Federalism Legislation:
Explain the mandate or condition of aid each law imposed on the states:
* Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
* Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
* Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
* National Voter Registration Act (Motor Voter Act)
* Clean Air Act
* Americans with Disabilities Act
* Brady Bill
* No Child Left Behind Act
Unit 2: Interactions Among Branches of government: 25-36% of the AP Exam
In Unit 2, you will explore policy making, focusing on its complexity and the idea that it is a process involving multiple governmental institutions and actors. There will be issues or policies from several different perspectives and you will seek to understand the complexity of policy making!
THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The republican ideal in the U.S. is manifested in the structure and operation of the legislative branch.
Describe the different structures, powers, and functions of each house of Congress.
* Senate
* House of Representatives
The Senate is designed to represent states equally, while the House is designed to represent the population. How is representation decided in the Constitution?
Different chamber sizes and constituencies influence formality of debate.
Explain those differences between the two chambers and how they influence debate.
The enumerated and implied powers in the Constitution allow the creation of public policy by Congress, which includes:
* Passing a federal budget, raising revenue, and coining money
* Declaring war and maintaining the armed forces
* Enacting legislation that addresses a wide range of economic, environmental, and social issues based on the Necessary and Proper Clause
Though both chambers rely on committees to conduct hearings and debate bills under consideration, different constitutional responsibilities of the House and Senate affect the policy-making process. Identify and explain the four types of congressional committees:
Chamber-specific procedures, rules, and roles that impact the policy making include:
(Make sure you understand these procedures and their impact. Define where necessary.)
-Roles of Speaker of the House, party leadership, and committee leadership in both chambers:
-Filibuster:
-Cloture:
-Role of Rules Committee, Committee of the Whole, and discharge petitions in the House:
-Treaty ratification and confirmation role of the U.S. Senate:
Congress must generate a budget that addresses both discretionary and mandatory spending, and as entitlement costs grow, discretionary spending opportunities will decrease unless tax revenues increase or the budget deficit increases. Define and provide an example:
* Discretionary spending
* Mandatory spending
Pork barrel legislation and logrolling affect lawmaking in both chambers. Define and explain:
* Pork barrel legislation
* Logrolling
Explain how congressional behavior is influenced by partisanship, and divided government. (Define and Explain)
* Partisanship
* Polarization
* Gridlock
* Divided Government
Congressional behavior and governing effectiveness are influenced by: Define and Explain
* Gerrymandering
* Redistricting
* Reapportionment
Different roles as related to constituent accountability in each chamber. Define and explain:
* Trustee model
* Delegate model
These issue are partially addressed by such Court decisions: Identify and explain:
* Baker v. Carr
* Shaw v. Reno
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
The presidency has been enhanced beyond its expressed constitutional powers.
Presidents use powers and functions of the office to accomplish a policy agenda. Discuss the formal and informal powers of the president:
* Informal Powers
* Formal Powers
Explain how the president’s agenda can create tension and frequent confrontations with Congress.
Discuss the potential for conflict with the Senate based on executive appointments:
Senate confirmation is an important check on appointment powers, but the president’s longest lasting influence lies in life-tenured judicial appointments. Explain this statement:
Summarize Federalist No. 70
Term-of-office and constitutional-power restrictions, including the passage of the 22nd Amendment, demonstrate changing presidential roles. Identify and explain:
* 22nd Amendment
* 25th Amendment
Communication and power of persuasion can be used by presidents to help them push their agendas. How can the following impact a president’s ability to set the agenda?
* Bully Pulpit
* Modern technology, social media, and rapid response to political issues
* Nationally broadcast State of the Union address
THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY
The federal bureaucracy is a powerful institution implementing federal policies with sometimes questionable accountability.
Explain how the bureaucracy carries out the responsibilities of the federal government.
Tasks performed by departments, agencies, commissions, and government corporations are represented by: Explain how the bureaucracy interacts with the president and congress by:
* Writing and enforcing regulations
* Issuing fines
* Testifying before Congress
* Iron triangles
Define and explain how political patronage, civil service, and merit system reforms all impact the effectiveness of the bureaucracy by promoting professionalism, specialization, and neutrality.
* civil service
* merit
* Pendleton Act
Explain how the federal bureaucracy uses delegated discretionary authority for rule making and implementation.
Define, explain roles, and provide an example for each of the following:
* Independent Executive Agency
* Independent Regulatory Commission
* Government Corporation
* Departments
Explain how Congress uses its oversight power in its relationship with the executive branch and as a check on the bureaucracy.
Explain how the president ensures that executive branch agencies and departments carry out their responsibilities in concert with the goals of the administration.
Explain the extent to which governmental branches can hold the bureaucracy accountable given the competing interests of Congress, the president, and the federal courts.
THE JUDICIAL BRANCH
The design of the judicial branch protects the court’s independence as a branch of government, and the emergence and use of judicial review remains a powerful judicial practice.
Explain the principle of judicial review and how it checks the power of other institutions and state governments.
The foundation for powers of the judicial branch and how its independence checks the power of other institutions and state governments are set forth in: Describe and explain each of the following:
* Article III of the Constitution
* Federalist No. 78
* Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Explain how the exercise of judicial review in conjunction with life tenure can lead to controversy about the legitimacy of the Supreme Court’s power.
Precedents and stare decisis play an important role in judicial decision making.
Define and explain the following:
* Precedent
* Stare Decisis
Discuss how ideological changes in the composition of the Supreme Court due to presidential appointments have led to the Court’s establishing new or rejecting existing precedents.
Identify and explain checks the Legislative and Executive Branches have in relation to the Supreme Court.
Political discussion about the Supreme Court’s power is illustrated by the ongoing debate over judicial activism versus judicial restraint. Define, explain, and provide an example of the following:
* Judicial Activism:
* Judicial Restraint:
What are the functions of amicus curiae briefs?
Define and explain the following:
* Majority opinion:
* Dissenting opinion:
* Concurring opinion:
* Writ of Certiorari:
* Rule of Four
What is meant by the following:
* Original Jurisdiction:
* Appellate Jurisdiction:
Explain the structure of the federal court system by identifying the different courts and the jurisdictions each has.
Unit 3: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights: 13-18% of the AP Exam
Through the U.S. constitution, but primarily through the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth amendment, citizens and groups have attempted to restrict national and state governments from unduly infringing upon individual rights essential to ordered liberty and from denying equal protection under the law. Likewise, it has sometimes been argued that these legal protections have been used to block reforms and restrict freedoms of others in the name of social order.
Provisions of the U.S. The Constitution's Bill of Rights are continually being interpreted to balance the power of government and the civil liberties of individuals.
Explain how the U.S. Constitution protects individual liberties and rights in the box to the right.
The U.S. Constitution includes a Bill of Rights specifically designed to protect individual liberties and rights.
Describe the rights protected in the Bill of Rights.
* 1st Amendment
* 2nd Amendment
* 4th Amendment
* 5th Amendment
* 6th Amendment
* 8th Amendment
* 9th Amendment
* 10th Amendment
Explain the extent to which the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the First and Second Amendments reflects a commitment to individual liberty.
The interpretation and application of the First Amendment’s establishment and free exercise clauses reflect an ongoing debate over balancing majoritarian religious practice and free exercise, as represented by such cases as:
* Explain the facts and ruling in Engel v. Vitale:
* Explain the facts and ruling in Wisconsin v. Yoder:
The Supreme Court has held that symbolic speech is protected by the First Amendment.
* Explain the facts and ruling in Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District
Efforts to balance social order and individual freedom are reflected in interpretations of the First Amendment that limit speech.
Define:
* Time, place, and manner regulations:
* Miller Test:
* Explain the facts and ruling in Schenck v. US:
In New York Times Co. v. United States (1971), the Supreme Court bolstered the freedom of the press, establishing a “heavy presumption against prior restraint” even in cases involving national security.
* What is prior restraint?
* Explain the facts and ruling in Schenck v. US:
The Supreme Court has attempted to balance claims of individual freedom with laws and enforcement procedures that promote public order and safety.
* What was Mapp v. Ohio and what is the exclusionary rule?
* 4th Amendment- Protection against warrantless searches & collection of metadata
* Patriot Act:
* What were the facts and ruling in Gideon v. Wainwright?
Court decisions defining cruel and unusual punishment involve interpretation of the Eighth Amendment and its application to state death penalty statutes.
* What were the facts and ruling in Furman v. Georgia:
Protections of the Bill of Rights have been selectively incorporated by way of the Fourteenth Amendment’s “due process” clause to prevent state infringement of basic liberties.
Explain the implications of the doctrine of selective incorporation:
The doctrine of selective incorporation has imposed limitations on state regulation of civil rights and liberties.
* Explain the facts and ruling in Gitlow v. NY:
* Explain the facts and ruling in McDonald v. Chicago:
Explain the extent to which states are limited by the due process clause from infringing upon individual rights in the space below:
* What is the Miranda Rule:
The Court has on occasion ruled in favor of states’ power to restrict individual liberty, as for example, which speech can be shown to increase the danger to public safety.
Example:
While a right to privacy is not explicitly named in the Constitution, the court has interpreted the due process clause to protect the right of privacy from infringement.
The interpretation of the due process clause has been the subject of controversy:
* Define: Due Process
* Explain the facts and ruling in Roe v. Wade:
The 14th Amendment’s “equal protection clause” as well as other constitutional provisions have often been used to support the advancement of equality.
Explain how constitutional provisions have supported and motivated social movements in the space below:
* Civil Rights Movement
* Women’s Rights Movement
* LGBT Rights Movement
Civil rights protect individuals from discrimination based on characteristics such as race, national origin, religion, and sex; these rights are guaranteed to all citizens under the due process and equal protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution, as well as acts of Congress.
* Rational Basis
* Intermediate Scrutiny
* Strict Scrutiny
Public policy promoting civil rights is influenced by citizen-state interactions and constitutional interpretation over time.
Explain how the government has responded to social movements.
The government can respond to social movements through court rulings and/or policies.
* Explain the facts and ruling in Brown v. Board of Education:
* Explain the Civil Rights Act of 1964:
* Explain Title IX of the Civil Rights Act Amendments (1972)
* Explain the Voting Rights Act of 1965:
Explain how the Court has at times allowed the restriction of the civil rights of minority groups and at other times has protected those rights.
The debate on affirmative action includes justices who insist that the Constitution is colorblind and those who maintain that it forbids only racial classifications designed to harm minorities, not help them.
* Explain the facts and ruling in Bakke v. California:
it Unit 4: American Political Ideologies and Beliefs. 10-15% of the AP EXAM
American political beliefs are shaped by founding ideals, core values, linkage institutions, political parties, interest groups and the media. These beliefs about government, politics, and the individual’s role in the political system influence the creation of public policy.
Explain the relationship between core beliefs of U.S. citizens and attitudes about the role of government in the space provided.
Define:
* Political Culture
* Political Socialization
Explain how cultural factors influence political attitudes and socialization.
Define political efficacy and identify potential impacts of populations with low and high political efficacies.
Public opinion is measured through scientific polling, and the results of public opinion polls influence public policies and institutions.
Describe the elements of a scientific poll:
Public opinion data can impact elections and policy debates and is affected by such scientific polling types and methods as those listed to the right.
Define the following:
* Opinion polls:
* Tracking polls:
* Entrance and exit polls:
Explain the relationship between scientific polling and elections and how policy debates are affected by the:
* Importance of public opinion as a source of political influence in a given election or policy debate
* Reliability and veracity of public opinion data
Widely held political ideologies shape policy debate and choices in American policies.
Identify and explain the core beliefs and social and economic policy stances for the major ideologies.
* Conservative:
* Liberal:
* Libertarian:
Explain the difference between traditional conservatives and social conservatives.
Explain how ideologies of the two major parties shape policy debates.
* Democratic Party:
* economic
* social
* Republican Party:
* economic
* social
Identify ideology and voting patterns by demographics (women are more liberal/vote democrat, senior citizens are more conservative/vote Republican, etc.)
Define and provide an example of the following:
* Reinforcing Cleavages
* example
* Cross-Cutting Cleavages
* example
Social Policy
Define:
* Entitlements:
* Means Tested Entitlements:
* provide an example
* Non-Means Tested Entitlements:
* provide an example:
Describe the following social policy programs:
* Social Security
* Medicare
* Medicaid
* Affordable Care Act (ACA, ObamaCare)
* Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
* Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Economic Policy
What can be done to stimulate the economy? Slow down the economy?
Define and describe the following:
* Monetary Policy
* who controls?
* What do they do to manage the economy?
* Fiscal Policy
* who controls?
* What do they do to manage the economy?
Define and describe the following:
* Keynesian Economics
* Laissez-Faire Economics
What is the role/function of the Congressional Budget Office? (CBO)
Explain the difference between mandatory spending and discretionary spending. Provide examples for each.
Unit 5: Political Participation 20-27% of the AP Exam
The principle of rule by the people is the bedrock of the American political system and requires that citizens engage and participate in the development of policy. Governing is achieved directly through citizen participation and indirectly through institutions (e.g., political parties, interest groups, and mass media) that inform, organize, and mobilize support to influence government and politics, resulting in many venues for citizen influence on policy making.
Factors associated with political ideology, efficacy, structural barriers, and demographics influence the nature and degree of political participation.
Describe the voting rights protections in the Constitution and in legislation and be able to explain how this increased voter participation.
* 15th Amendment
* 17th Amendment
* 19th Amendment
* 24th Amendment
* 26th Amendment
Describe the different models of voting behavior.
* Rational Choice:
* Retrospective Voting:
* Prospective Voting:
* Party Line Voting:
Structural barriers, political efficacy, and demographics can predict differences in voter turnout in the U.S., and the following can influence voter turnout among democracies worldwide:
Answer the following:
1. How does efficacy influence voter turnout?
2. How do voting incentives, penalties, or fines influence voter turnout?
3. How does the election type (mid-term or presidential) influence voter turnout?
Demographic characteristics and political efficacy or engagement are used to predict the likelihood of whether an individual will vote.
Discuss the factors influencing voter choice include:
* Party identification and ideological orientation
* Candidate characteristics
* Contemporary political issues
* Religious beliefs or affiliation, gender, race and ethnicity, and other demographic characteristics
Political parties, interest groups, and social movements provide opportunities for participation and influence how people relate to government and policy-makers.
Linkage institutions are channels that allow individuals to communicate their preferences to policy-makers.
* Identify the four linkage institutions:
Explain the function and impact of political parties on the electorate and government.
The functions and impact of political parties on the electorate and government are represented by what five things?
Explain how parties have adapted to candidate-centered campaigns, and their role in nominating candidates has been weakened.
Explain how the structure of parties has been influenced by:
* Regional realignments
* Campaign finance law
* Changes in communication and data-management technology
Explain the facts and ruling in Citizens United v. FEC:
Explain the barriers that impact third-party and independent-candidate success.
Explain how in comparison to proportional systems, winner-take-all voting districts serve as a structural barrier to third-party and independent candidate success.
Discuss the role Interest groups play in policy making.
In addition to working within party coalitions, interest groups exert influence through long-standing relationships with bureaucratic agencies, Congressional committees, and other interest groups; such relationships are described as “iron triangles” and issue networks and they help interest groups exert influence across political party coalitions.
* Draw an Iron Triangle:
* Provide an example of an Iron Triangle to illustrate your point.
* Discuss the role of an iron triangle in policy making.
Explain how variation in types and resources of interest groups affects their ability to influence elections and policy making.
Discuss how Interest group influence may be impacted by:
* Inequality of resources
* Unequal access to decision makers
* “Free rider” problem
Explain how various political actors influence public policy outcomes.
The impact of federal policies on campaigning and electoral rules continues to be contested by both sides of the political spectrum.
Explain how the different processes work in a U.S. presidential election. The process and outcomes in U.S. presidential elections are impacted by:
* Incumbency advantage phenomenon
* Open primaries
* Closed primaries
* Caucuses
* Party conventions
* General (presidential) elections
* The Electoral College
Evaluate the extent to which the Electoral College facilitates or impedes democracy.
Explain how the winner-take-all allocation of votes per state (except Maine and Nebraska) under the setup of the Electoral College compared with the national popular vote for president raises questions about whether the Electoral College facilitates or impedes democracy.
Explain how campaign organizations and strategies affect the election process.
Federal legislation and case law pertaining to campaign finance demonstrate the ongoing debate over the role of money in political and free speech, as set forth in:
* Explain the facts and ruling in Buckley v. Valeo:
* Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (McCain Feingold Act):
* Explain the facts and ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission:
Debates have increased over free speech and competitive and fair elections related to money and campaign funding.
* What is a PAC?
* What is a 501 C?
* What is a Super Pac?
The various forms of media provide citizens with political information and influence the ways in which they participate politically.
Explain the media’s role as a linkage Institution.
The media’s use of polling results to convey popular levels of trust and confidence in government can impact elections by turning such events into “horse races” based more on popularity and factors other than qualifications and platforms of candidates.
* What is a horse race?
Explain how increasingly diverse choices of media and communication outlets influence political institutions and behavior.
Congratulations!
You are finished with a very comprehensive review of AP Government and Politics. If you use this as a study reference over the next few weeks, you will do very well on the content knowledge part of the exam!
Good luck! I am rooting for you!