AP Government Study Guide

Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy

The Enlightenment Period

• Influenced American government.
• Key philosophers: John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Thomas Hobbes.
• Important Ideas:
  • Social Contract: Agreement between government and people; some rights are exchanged for protection and benefits.
  • Natural Rights: Inalienable rights; violation allows for revolt.
  • Popular Sovereignty: Government accountability to the people.
  • Republicanism: Limited representative government.

Models of Democracy

• Participatory Democracy: Citizens influence policy decisions.
• Pluralist Democracy: Competing interest groups influence government.
• Elite Democracy: Decisions made by wealthy, educated elite.

Articles of Confederation

• Initial governing document; weak national government.
• Weaknesses highlighted by Shays' Rebellion.
• Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists debate led to Constitution.
• Madisonian Democracy: Federalism, checks and balances, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, limited government.

Compromises in Constitution

• Great Compromise: Bicameral legislature (Senate/House).
• Electoral College: Indirect election of President.
• Three-Fifths Compromise: Slaves counted as 3/5 of a person.
• Slave Importation Compromise: End to importation after 1808.

Constitutional Basis of Federalism

• Enumerated Powers: Directly given to Congress.
• Implied Powers: Not explicit but understood.
• Reserved Powers: State powers (10th Amendment).
• Privileges and Immunities Clause: Protection across states.
• Full Faith and Credit Clause: State document recognition.
• Extradition: Returning criminals to where crimes were committed.

Federalism in Action

• Fiscal Federalism: Grants and mandates to states.
• Dual Federalism: Independent state/federal roles.
• Cooperative Federalism: Collaborative state/federal roles.
• New Federalism: Shift of power back to states.

Key Federalism Cases

• McCulloch v. Maryland: National bank upheld.
• U.S. v. Lopez: Limits to Congress' regulatory powers.

Federalism Legislation

• Unfunded Mandates Reform Act: Minimize state/local burdens.
• Various social and environmental programs.

Unit 2: The Three Branches of Government

Legislative Branch

• Structure: Bicameral (Senate and House of Representatives).
• Powers:
  • Senate: Confirms appointments, ratifies treaties, holds impeachment trials.
  • House: Impeaches officials, initiates revenue bills.
• Process:
  • Bills introduced, go through committees, and are debated.
  • Filibuster and cloture in Senate.
  • Rules Committee in the House.

Executive Branch

• Presidential Roles:
  • Formal: Commander-in-Chief, Chief Diplomat, Chief Executive.
  • Informal: Party leader, legislator agenda setter, economic planner.
• Structure:
  • Cabinet advises on various topics.
  • White House Staff supports the President.

Federalist No. 70

• Advocates for a strong, singular executive for accountability and quick decision-making.

Unit 3: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

Bill of Rights

• Protects individual liberties and rights against the government.
• Key Amendments:
  • 1st: Free speech, religion, press, assembly.
  • 2nd: Right to bear arms.
  • 14th: Extends rights to states, due process, equal protection.

Civil Rights Movements

• Social movements led to significant legal changes.
• Government response led to laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Unit 4: American Political Ideologies and Beliefs

Political Ideologies

• Liberalism: Advocates for government intervention in economics.
• Conservatism: Favors limited government interference.
• Libertarianism: Minimal government in all aspects.
• Socialism: Government control of production.

Political Socialization

• Development of individual political beliefs through family, education, and social interactions.

Changes in Ideology

• Influences include age, gender, race.
• Events impact trust and political efficacy.

Public Opinion

• Polls gauge public preferences.
• Polls influence government priorities.

Unit 5: Political Participation

Voting Rights

• Expanded through amendments and acts (15th, 19th, Voting Rights Act).

Political Parties

• Linkage institutions connecting people to government.
• Parties adapt to candidate-centered politics.

Elections

• Presidential: Primaries, caucuses, general elections, Electoral College.
• Congressional: Gerrymandering impacts outcomes.

Campaigns

• Increasing costs for staff, ads, and media.
• Finance regulations (FEC, PACs, Super PACs).

Media

• Acts as a linkage institution, influencing public opinion and holding government accountable.
• Trends in media consumption vary by age.