Notes from Lecture on AP Government Study Guide

Unit One: Constitutional Underpinnings

Fundamental Principles of Democracy

• Direct Democracy: Citizens vote directly on government decisions.
• Representative Democracy (Republic): Citizens elect officials to make decisions on government policy.
• Magna Carta (1215): Limited the British king's power and guaranteed rights.
• Enlightenment Philosophers: Locke and Rousseau emphasized social contract theory, consent of the governed, and natural rights.
• Declaration of Independence: Built on principles of natural rights and justified the American Revolution.

The First Government: Articles of Confederation

• Weak association of independent states.
• No central executive power or federal taxation power.
• Federal government could raise an army and manage the post office.
• Shays' Rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the central government.

Constitutional Debate

• Constitutional Convention (1787): Debated representation (big states vs. small states) and slavery (3/5 Compromise).
• Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists: Debated the strength of central government.

The Constitution

• Legislative, Executive, Judicial: Three branches with checks and balances.
• Federalism: Division of power between federal and state governments.
• Bill of Rights: First 10 amendments guaranteeing individual and state rights.

Unit Two: Political Culture, Beliefs, and Behaviors

Political Culture

• Influenced by free enterprise, individual responsibility, and equality of opportunity.
• Political socialization occurs through family, media, and education.

Ideologies

• Liberal: Advocates for large federal government involvement.
• Conservative: Prefers limited government and pro-business policies.
• Libertarianism: Emphasizes minimal government and individual rights.

Demographics

• Women, minorities, and young people tend to vote liberal, while older, wealthier, and rural voters lean conservative.

Voting Behavior

• Voter turnout has decreased due to registration difficulties.
• Influenced by party identification and political efficacy.

Unit Three: Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media

Political Parties

• U.S. has a two-party system due to the winner-take-all electoral system.
• Third parties rarely impact significantly.
• Divided Government: One party controls the presidency and the other controls Congress.

Interest Groups

• Lobbying and PACs influence government policies.
• Iron Triangle: Relationship between interest groups, congressional committees, and government agencies.

Media

• Known as the fourth estate; has significant influence on public perception.
• Media bias and horse-race journalism affect electoral coverage.

Unit Four: Institutions: Presidency and Congress

Congress

• House and Senate: Two bodies where bills must pass both to become law.
• Committees: Play a significant role in shaping legislation.
• Senate: Conducts filibusters and requires cloture to end debates.

President

• Commander in Chief: Leads military and makes executive decisions.
• Executive Orders: Have the power of law but can be overturned.

Unit Five: The Bureaucracy

• Bureaucracy: Grown to handle vast government responsibilities.
• Iron Triangle and Alliance Networks: Influence policy and administration.

The Judicial Branch and Civil Liberties

• Judicial Review: Allows courts to interpret the Constitution.
• Stare Decisis: Principle of adhering to precedent.
• Civil Liberties: Protected by various amendments and court rulings.
• Notable Cases: Marbury v. Madison, Brown v. Board of Ed, and more.

Economic and Social Welfare Policies

Economic Policies

• Monetary Policy: Managed by the Federal Reserve to control inflation and growth.
• Fiscal Policy: Controlled by Congress and the President via budgeting and taxation.

Welfare Policies

• Welfare programs have evolved, with significant changes during the New Deal and Great Society.
• Social Security and Medicare: Major welfare programs facing financial challenges.

Foreign and Defense Policy

• The President leads in foreign policy decisions.
• Congress holds power through the War Powers Act and budget control.
• Worldviews: Vary from isolationism to human rights intervention.

Previous AP Exams

• Understanding previous exam questions can guide study and preparation for future exams.