AP Government: Unit 2 Overview

Introduction

• Focus on the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial.
• Unofficial fourth branch: the bureaucracy.
• Part of a larger study packet with practice questions and study aids.

Legislative Branch (Congress)

Structure

• Bicameral: House of Representatives and Senate.
  • House of Representatives
    • Representatives apportioned by state population.
    • Serve 2-year terms; more closely tied to constituents.
    • 435 total representatives.
  • Senate
    • 100 Senators, 2 per state.
    • Serve 6-year terms; broader responsibilities.

Powers

• Enumerated Powers (Article 1, Section 8)
  • Raise revenue, coin money, pass federal budget.
  • Declare war, raise armies, direct funding for armed forces.
• Implied Powers
  • Necessary and Proper Clause allows for a wide range of legislation.

Leadership

• House
  • Speaker of the House: elected leader from majority party.
  • Majority and Minority Leaders.
  • Whips ensure party discipline.
• Senate
  • President of the Senate (Vice President of U.S.).
  • President Pro Tempore: senior majority party member.
  • Senate Majority Leader: sets legislative agenda.

Committees

• Types of Committees
  • Standing Committees: Permanent, e.g., Senate Budget Committee.
  • Joint Committees: Members from both houses.
  • Select Committees: Temporary, specific purpose.
  • Conference Committees: Reconcile House and Senate bill differences.

Legislation Process

• Bills introduced in either house.
• Committees mark up bills, vote, and send to President.
• Budget Process: Mandatory spending vs. discretionary spending.

Challenges

• Political Polarization: Harder to pass legislation.
• Divided Government: Slows down legislative process.
• Redistricting and Gerrymandering: Affects representation and efficiency.

Executive Branch

Powers and Roles

• Formal Powers (Article 2)
  • Veto power, Commander-in-Chief.
  • Executive agreements with foreign nations.
• Informal Powers
  • Bargaining, persuasion, executive orders, signing statements.

Appointments

• Appoints cabinet members, ambassadors, judges (Senate confirmation).
• Tension with Senate during federal court nominations.

Expansion of Power

• Historical expansion through presidents like Jackson, Lincoln, FDR.
• Use of media (radio, TV, social media) for public persuasion.

Judicial Branch

Structure

• Levels of Courts
  • U.S. District Courts: Original jurisdiction.
  • U.S. Circuit Courts: Appellate jurisdiction.
  • Supreme Court: Both jurisdictions.

Judicial Review

• Power established in Marbury v. Madison (1803).
• Federalist 78: Supports judicial independence.

Court Decisions

• Precedents: Stare decisis principle.
• Judicial Activism vs. Restraint
  • Activism: Policy establishment.
  • Restraint: Strict constitutional adherence.

Controversies

• Legitimacy questioned in controversial cases (e.g., Dred Scott).
• Presidential appointments affect long-term court ideology.

Bureaucracy

Structure

• Departments and Agencies
  • Cabinet Secretaries lead executive departments.
  • Commissions: Regulatory, somewhat independent.
  • Government Corporations: Public good through business (e.g., PBS).

Functions

• Write and enforce regulations.
• Compliance monitoring and fines.
• Testify before Congress.

Relationships

• Iron Triangle: Bureaucratic agencies, congressional committees, interest groups.

Challenges

• Independence: Concerns over unelected power.
• Historical shift from patronage to merit-based appointments.

Reform

• Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883): Merit-based system.
• Civil Service Reform Act: Further professionalization.

Conclusion

• Comprehensive understanding of the three branches and bureaucracy essential for success in AP Government and exams.