Lecture Notes: AP Government Review

Unit One: Constitutional Underpinnings

Fundamental Principles of Democracy

• Direct Democracy: Citizens vote directly on decisions.
• Representative Democracy (Republic): Citizens elect officials to make decisions.

Historical Documents and Philosophers

• Magna Carta (1215): Limited the power of the British King; guaranteed rights.
• Enlightenment Philosophers: Locke and Rousseau.
  • Social Contract Theory: Agreement between people and government.
  • Consent of the Governed: Rulers require people's approval.
  • Natural Rights: Life, liberty, and property (Jefferson: pursuit of happiness).

Key Documents

• Declaration of Independence: Emphasized life, liberty, pursuit of happiness.
• Articles of Confederation: Weak central government; no power to tax; Shay's Rebellion highlighted weaknesses.

Constitutional Debate

• Constitutional Convention (1787): Established three branches of government.
• Compromises: 3/5 Compromise and Connecticut Compromise (bicameral legislature).
• Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists: Debated over the strength of the national government.

Constitution Structure

• Articles I-III: Legislative, Executive, Judicial branches.
• Checks and Balances: Each branch has power over others.
• Federalism: Division of power between federal and state governments.

Legislative Powers

• Congress can tax, regulate trade, create laws, etc.
• Implied Powers: Based on the elastic clause; allows flexibility.

Unit Two: Political Culture, Beliefs, and Behaviors

Political Culture

• Ideology of supporting free enterprise, individual responsibility, and equality of opportunity.
• Political Socialization: Formed by family, education, and media.

Ideologies

• Liberal, Socialist, Conservative, Libertarian: Different beliefs on government size and role.

Voting and Elections

• Demographics: Affects voting trends (race, age, income).
• Redistricting and Gerrymandering: Reshape districts post-census to benefit certain parties.

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

Political Parties

• Two-Party System: Due to winner-take-all elections.
• Third Parties: Rarely impactful.

Interest Groups

• Aim to influence policy via lobbying and fundraising.
• PACs: Financial arm of interest groups.

Mass Media

• Influences public opinion; often biased.

Unit Four: Institutions: Presidency and Congress

Congress

• Bicameral Legislature: House and Senate; both required to pass legislation.
• Committees: Essential for legislative work.

Presidency

• Powers: Commander in chief, chief diplomat, legislative influence.
• Informal Powers: Executive orders, privilege, and agenda setting.

Unit Five: The Bureaucracy

Structure and Function

• Divides labor into departments and agencies.
• Iron Triangle: Relationship between agencies, Congress, and industries.

Regulatory Role

• Implementation and Regulation: Ensures laws and policies are executed.

Judicial Branch and Civil Liberties

Structure of Courts

• District Courts, Courts of Appeals, Supreme Court: Hierarchy of jurisdiction.

Civil Liberties

• Bill of Rights: Protects individual freedoms.
• Judicial Review: Allows courts to assess constitutionality.

Notable Cases

• Marbury v. Madison: Established judicial review.
• Brown v. Board of Ed: Desegregation.

Economic Policy

Fiscal and Monetary Policy

• Fiscal Policy: Government's taxing and spending.
• Monetary Policy: Federal Reserve controls money supply.

Economic Theories

• Keynesianism, Monetarism, Supply-Side Economics: Different approaches to economic management.

Social Welfare

Welfare Programs

• Social Security, Medicare: Provide financial assistance.
• Welfare Reform: Transition to block grants.

Foreign and Defense Policy

Presidential and Congressional Roles

• President: Leader in setting foreign policy.
• Congress: Controls budget and war powers.

AP Essay Guidelines

• Focus on key points; don't worry about writing style.
• Familiarize with past questions for specific topics.