Lecture Notes: 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 government policy decisions.
• Magna Carta (1215): Limited British king's power, guaranteed rights.
• Enlightenment Philosophers:
  • Locke & Rousseau: Social contract theory, consent of the governed, natural rights (life, liberty, property).
• Declaration of Independence: Justification of American Revolution; principles of life, liberty, pursuit of happiness.

The First Government: Articles of Confederation

• Weak association of independent states.
• No central executive power; no federal taxation.
• Federal government roles: raise an army, print money, declare war, run post office.
• 9/13 states needed to pass laws.

Constitutional Debate

• 1787 Constitutional Convention to draft new constitution.
• Supported representative democracy and three government branches (executive, legislative, judicial).
• Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists: Debate over strong central government.
• Compromises:
  • 3/5 Compromise: Slaves counted as 3/5 person.
  • Connecticut Compromise: Bicameral legislature (House & Senate).

Constitution Fixes Articles Weaknesses

• National government gains power to tax, regulate interstate commerce, enforce laws, and create judiciary.

Structure of the Constitution

• Articles I-III: Establish legislative, executive, judicial branches.
• Checks and Balances: Each branch has powers over the others.
• Federalism: Division of power between federal, state, and local governments.

Federal Powers

• Express, Implied, Inherent Powers: Various powers granted to federal government.
• Denied Powers: Actions government cannot take (e.g., suspending habeas corpus).

Unit Two: Political Culture, Beliefs, and Behaviors

Political Culture

• Americans value free enterprise, individual responsibility, equality of opportunity.
• Religion influences political views.

Political Socialization

• Influencers: family, friends, media, education.

Ideologies

• Liberal: Support large federal government.
• Conservative: Favor limited government, pro-business.
• Libertarian: Minimal government.

Voting Behavior

• Demographics affect voting patterns: race, income, education.
• Trends: Women, minorities often vote liberal; wealthy, religious, rural often vote conservative.

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

Political Parties

• Two-party system due to winner-take-all elections.
• Third Parties: Rarely impactful, often ideological.
• Realignment & Dealignment: Major shifts in party beliefs or member abandonment.

Interest Groups

• Influence government through lobbying, fundraising.
• Iron Triangle: Interest groups, Congress, agencies work closely.

Media

• Acts as the "4th estate," influencing public opinion.
• Media Bias: Tendency to favor certain political ideologies.

Unit Four: Institutions: Presidency and Congress

Congress

• Bicameral: House (population-based) & Senate (equal representation).
• Committees play key roles in legislation.

President

• Roles include Commander in Chief, Chief Executive, foreign affairs leader.
• Powers: Veto laws, appoint officials, executive orders.

Unit Five: The Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy

• Administratively divides work among non-elected officials.
• Hatch Act: Keeps bureaucracy politically neutral.
• Iron Triangle: Close alliances between agencies, Congress, and industries.
• Deregulation: Recent trend to reduce government restrictions.

Judicial Branch and Civil Liberties

Structure of Federal Courts

• District Courts: Initial federal trials.
• Courts of Appeals: Hear appeals from district courts.
• Supreme Court: Highest court, hears appeals.

Civil Liberties

• Protected by Amendments: Especially 1st, 4th, 5th.
• Key Cases: Marbury v. Madison, Brown v. Board, Roe v. Wade.

Economic Policy

Monetary & Fiscal Policy

• Federal Reserve: Controls money supply, influences economy.
• Fiscal Policy: Government tax and spending decisions.

Economic Theories

• Keynesianism: Government intervention during recessions.
• Monetarism: Inflation linked to money supply.

Social Welfare

Types of Welfare

• Majoritarian & Client Politics: Universal vs. means-tested programs.
• Welfare Reform: Shift towards block grants, reduced federal role.

Foreign and Defense Policy

US Government Interests

• National security, economic strength, ideological goals.

President's Role

• Commander in chief, treaty negotiator, foreign policy leader.

Congress's Role

• War Powers Act, controls military funding, ratifies treaties.

Exam Essays

• Strategies for answering AP exam essays: focus on main points, be concise.

This guide provides an overview of key topics and terms relevant to AP Government, summarizing foundational concepts, political processes, institutions, and policy areas.