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AP US Government and Politics: The Playbook

Note: For all terms/concepts listed it is expected that in addition to being able to identify them you will also be able to give examples, explain their significance, and when appropriate identify criticisms. This list is by no means exhaustive; it is meant only to be a guide to point you towards the most important ideas found in each unit.

Constitutional Underpinnings

Key concepts:

• Compare the similarities and differences between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.

• Why are separation of powers and federalism key parts of the Constitution?

• Why didn’t the Constitution originally contain a bill of rights? Why was one added?

• What are the two ways the Constitution can be amended?

• Compare the federalist and anti-federalist perspectives.

• What were the primary goals of the anti-federalists?

• What is the difference between federal and centralized systems?

• Give examples that show the U.S. has shifted towards cooperative federalism?

• Why have federal grants-in-aid been politically popular with states? But what are the drawbacks of accepting this federal money?

• Why have categorical grants continued to grow more rapidly than block grants?

• How has the relationship between the states and national government changed over time?

• Distinguish between mandates and conditions of aid.

• What has been the effect of the commerce clause on federal (Congressional) power?

• Provide examples of the U.S. becoming more democratic.

• What is the difference between separation of powers & checks and balances?

• List key enumerated/expressed powers of the federal government.

• What are some limits on federal governmental power?

• What are some limits on state power?

• How does the Constitution limit majority rule?

• What features of the Constitution have led to the federal government gaining more power over time?

• Distinguish between specific powers delegated to federal government and those reserved to the states.

Articles of the Constitution

Bill of Rights

Amendments 11-27

Amendment process

Articles of Confederation

Northwest Ordinance

Shay’s Rebellion

New Jersey Plan

Virginia Plan

Great (a.k.a. Connecticut) Compromise

Bicameral legislature

Three-fifths compromise

Influence of Enlightenment philosophers

Social contract

John Locke

Baron de Montesquieu

Popular sovereignty

The Federalist papers

The Federalist #10

The Federalist #51

Federalists

Anti-Federalists

Pure/Direct Democracy

Representative Democracy

Republic

Nullification

Judicial Review

Delegated powers

Reserved powers

Concurrent powers

Enumerated/Expressed powers

Implied powers

Inherent powers

Extradition

Bill of attainder

Ex post facto laws

Writ of habeas corpus

Full faith and credit clause

Privileges and immunities clause

Supremacy clause

Commerce clause

Necessary and Proper/Elastic clause

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Federalism

Dual federalism (layer cake)

Cooperative federalism (marble cake)

Fiscal federalism

Grants-in-aid

Block grants

Categorical grants

Revenue sharing

Conditions of aid

Mandates (funded or unfunded)

Americans with Disabilities Act

Devolution

Welfare Reform Act

Initiative

Recall

Referendum

Separation of powers

Checks and balances

Confederation

Unitary system

Centralized

Public Opinion & Political Socialization

Key concepts:

• What is the primary source of political socialization? What are other sources?

• Identify reasons for low voter turnout.

• Identify various proposals to increase voter turnout?

• Demographic groups most/least likely to vote

• Voter turnout: general elections vs. primaries/caucuses?

• Voter turnout: presidential elections vs. midterm elections?

• How do public opinion polls influence members of Congress?

• Identify the characteristics of a valid scientific public opinion poll.

• How did the 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th amendments change the electorate and affect voter turnout?

• What was the result of the 24th amendment and Voting Rights Act of 1965?

Random sampling

Sampling error

Margin of error

Stratified sample

Exit polls

Gallup poll

Saliency, intensity, and stability of opinions

Political elites

Activists

“New class”

Political socialization

Ideology

Liberal

Conservative

Libertarian

Demographics of above ideologies

Public opinion differences based on:

Race

White

Minorities

Religion

Protestant/Evangelical

Jewish

Catholic

Gender

Income

Region

South

Northeast

Evangelical Christians

Silent majority

Gender gap

Methods of political participation

Why does the US have such high rates of non-voting?

Motor voter law

Photo identification laws

White primary

Grandfather clause

Poll tax

Literacy test

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Political culture

Political efficacy

Linkage Institutions: Political parties and elections

Key concepts:

• What is a criticism of gerrymandering?

• What limits has the SC placed on gerrymandering?

• Party demographics?

• Why do states engage in front-loading?

• Make a list of incumbency advantages for Congressmen.

• What happens when no candidate wins a majority in the electoral college?

• Identify federal campaign regulations.

• Compare delegates to average citizen

• How does the electoral college affect candidates’ strategies?

• Identify the main features of the electoral college.

• Identify differences in strategy during primary elections and general election

• Typically, who is in charge of congressional redistricting?

• What is the difference between a plurality system and a majority system? Which one does the US have?

• Identify barriers to third party success.

• Identify changes to our electoral system that would encourage the growth of third parties.

• What is the difference between party realignment and dealignment?

• How does use of superdelegates increase the influence of Democratic party leaders?

• What are some causes of party polarization?

• How does party polarization affect the decisions of Congressmen?

• What is the best predictor of how a person will vote?

• What is a consequence of winner-take-all primaries?

Linkage institutions

Two party system

Political parties and the Constitution

Rise of the party system

Functions of political parties

Third parties

Primary elections

Open primary

Closed primary

Cacuses

Ideological parties

Single-issue parties

Factional parties

Platform

National convention

Political machine

Candidate-centered politics

Decline of party influence

Constituency

Republican ideologies

Democrat ideologies

Coalition

Conservative coalition/Dixiecrats

Critical election

Party realignment

Dealignment

Crossover voting

Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA)

Soft money

Hard money

Campaign finance laws

Split ticket voting

Straight ticket voting

Incumbent

Party identification as a factor in voting

Winner-take-all primaries

Proportional representation primaries

Frontloading

Electoral college

Midterm elections

Patronage

Superdelegates

General election

Plurality system

Winner-take-all system

Single-member districts

Multi-member districts

Runoff election

Roles of third parties

Super Tuesday

Coattail effect

Malapportionment

Gerrymandering

Redistricting

Reapportionment

Sophomore surge

Franking privilege

Position issue

Valence issue

Prospective voting

Retrospective voting

Marginal seat/district

Safe seat/districts

Open seat/district

Party polarization

Wesberry v. Sanders (1963)

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Buckley v. Valeo (1976)

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Linkage Institutions: Interest Groups & Media

Key concepts:

• What does the media focus on during election coverage?

• What role does the media play in agenda setting?

• What is the primary way the media influences public opinion?

• Describe the way interest groups attempt to influence Congress and the executive branch.

• Identify two ways interest groups attempt to influence the Supreme Court.

• Explain why litigation is a useful tool for interest groups.

• Identify other activities and tactics of interest groups.

• Activities of lobbyists

• Differences between political parties and interest groups?

• Consequence of media consolidation?

• How can the media aid or limit interest group efforts?

• Government regulation of interest groups

• What is the purpose of a PAC? What do PACs do with the money they raise?

• What group of people tends to be overrepresented by interest groups/PACs?

Interest groups

Lobbying

Functions of lobbyists

How do interest groups influence government?

PACs

527 groups

Economic interest groups

Single-issue groups

Media bias

Sound bite

Watchdog

Gatekeeper

Horserace journalism

Framing

Scorekeeper

Trial balloon

Fairness doctrine

Adversarial press

Libel

Congress

Key concepts:

• Identify key differences between the House & Senate

• Where does most of the work in Congress take place? Where do most bills die?

• What barriers currently negatively affect minority representation in Congress?

• Provide an overview of the impeachment process

• What are various offices/positions that require Senate confirmation?

• How does Senate confirmation affect presidential decision making?

• War Powers Resolution—what, purpose, how effective?

• How does a president’s veto power/power to issue executive orders affect congressional decision-making?

• Qualifications for Representatives and Senators

• Terms for Representatives and Senators

• Identify the various people and factors influencing how congressmen vote.

• Process of a bill becoming law

• Advantages of majority party

• Tactics of minority party to block legislation

• How are chairmen of committees often selected?

• Congressional checks on President

• Congressional checks on Judiciary

• How is a president affected by Congress’ oversight, confirmation, and budget powers?

• Identify Congressional powers related to foreign policy.

• What is the role of the House Rules Committee?

Expressed powers of Congress

Article 1 of the Constitution

Elastic clause

Commerce clause

McCulloch v. Maryland

Congressional oversight

Markup

Congressional committees

House Rules Committee

Conference committee

Standing committee

Joint committee

Select/special committee

House Ways and Means Committee

Appropriations

Party caucus

Germane

Hold

Filibuster

Cloture

Pork barrel

Riders

Logrolling

Earmarks

Delegate/Representational view

Organizational view

Trustee/Attitudinal view

Senatorial courtesy

Gridlock

Congressional leadership positions

Speaker of the House

Majority/minority leader

President pro tempore

Whip

President of the Senate

Quorum

Double-tracking

Tabled/shelved

Voice vote

Teller vote

Roll-call vote

Discharge petition

Divided government

Unified government

Concurrent Resolution

Joint Resolution

Legislative veto

Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

Congressional Budget Act (1974)

War Powers Resolution (1973)

Budget Reform Act (1974)

Freedom of Information Act (1966)

The Presidency and Bureaucracy

Key concepts:

• Which branch takes the lead in foreign affairs?

• What makes it difficult for the president to control the bureaucracy?

• What is the purpose of the White House staff/office?

• Which positions can presidents appoint without Senate confirmation?

• What is the trend regarding presidential approval ratings?

• Why do presidents so heavily rely on persuasion?

• How does popularity affect a presidents ability to accomplish his goals?

• Why doesn’t the president’s cabinet always do what he wants them to do?

• Identify the criticism of federal agencies making, enforcing, and interpreting rules.

• Identify factors that contribute to bureaucratic independence.

• Why are federal agencies given discretion/independence?

• Be able to list2 Independent Executive Agencies & 3 Independent Regulatory Commissions

• What is the difference between Ind. Ex. Agencies & Ind. Reg. Commissions?

• Checks on bureaucracy by the 3 branches

• Executive checks on Congress

• Executive checks on Judiciary

Article 2 of the Constitution

Expressed powers of the presidency

Formal powers of the presidency

Commander-in-Chief

Informal powers of the presidency

Roles of the president

Office of Management and Budget

Cabinet

White House Office/staff

Pyramid structure

Circular structure

Ad hoc structure

Executive order

Executive agreement

Limits on the president’s power

Lame duck

Pocket veto

Line-item veto

Clinton v. New York (1998)

U.S. v. Nixon (1974)

Executive privilege

Federal Reserve Board

Iron triangle

Issue network

Civil service system

Merit system

15 executive branch departments

Government corporations

Administrative discretion

Implementation

Administrative law

Administrative adjudication

Quasi-legislative/quasi-judicial powers

Revolving door

Examples of regulatory agencies

Red tape

Free riders

Hatch Act (1939)

Pendleton Act (1883)

The Judiciary

Key concepts:

• How do the various judicial philosophies influence decisions made by Justices?

• What does judicial review allow the SC to overturn?

• How does senate confirmation affect presidents when nominating Justices?

• What makes a case more likely to be heard by the Supreme Court?

• What are formal checks Congress has on the Judiciary?

• What are formal checks the president has on the Judiciary?

• How is the Court able to make policy?

• What does the lack of police power mean for the Judiciary?

• Judicial checks on presidency

• Judicial checks on Congress

• SC & public opinion: how is the Court affected by it; how is it protected from it?

Article 3 of the Constitution

Judicial Review

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Strict Constructionism

Loose Interpretation

Judicial Restraint

Judicial activism

Original intent

Tenure

Civil law

Criminal law

Grand jury

Federal District Courts

Circuit Court of Appeals

Original jurisdiction

Appellate jurisdiction

Appointment/confirmation process

Senatorial courtesy (blue slip)

Litmus test

In forma pauperis

Writ of certiorari

Rule of Four

Standing

Briefs

Amicus Curiae briefs

Stare decisis

Precedent

Attorney General

Solicitor General

Majority opinion

Concurring opinion

Dissenting opinion

Process of a case reaching the Supreme Court

Marshall Court

Warren Court

Dual court system

Civil Rights; Civil Liberties; Landmark Supreme Court decisions

Key concepts:

• How has use of the incorporation doctrine strengthened the federal government?

• How has incorporation weakened states?

• What is the basis for incorporation?

• What are limits the SC has placed on freedom of expression/speech?

• Identify reasons for low African American voter turnout from 1870-1965.

• What does “legislating from the bench” mean?

• How did the courts take the lead in promoting civil rights?

• What limits has the SC placed on Affirmative Action?

• Know the incorporation cases

14th Amendment

Due process clause

Incorporation

Selective incorporation

Barron v. Baltimore (1833)

Equal protection clause

Citizenship clause

Freedom of Religion

Establishment clause

Free-Exercise clause

Wall of separation principle

Slander

Libel

Obscenity

Symbolic speech

Hate speech

Preferred position doctrine

Prior Restraint

Rights of the accused

Double Jeopardy

Unreasonable search and seizure

Probable cause

Exclusionary rule

Objective good faith

Inevitable discovery rule

Implied right to privacy

Due process

Substantive due process

Procedural due process

Lemon test

Jim Crow laws

Poll tax

Grandfather clause

Civil Rights Act of 1964

De facto segregation

De jure segregation

Affirmative action

Equal Rights Amendment

Equal Pay Act of 1963

Title IX

Freedom of Speech Cases

Schneck v. United States (1919)

Gitlow v. New York (1925)

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Bethel School District v. Fraser (1986)

Hustler Magazine v. Falwell (1988)

Texas v. Johnson (1989)

Morse v. Frederick (2007)

Freedom of the Press

Near v. Minnesota (1931)

New York Times v. Sullivan (1964)

New York Times v. U.S. (1971)

Miller v. California (1973)

Hazlewood School v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

Freedom of Assembly and Association

Thornhill v. Alabama (1940)

Cox v. New Hampshire (1941)

Lloyd Corporation v. Tanner (1972)

Boy Scouts of America v. Dale (2000)

Freedom of Religion

Reynolds v. U.S. (1878)

Englel v. Vitale (1962)

Abington School District v. Schempp (1963)

Epperson v. Arkansas (1968)

Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971)

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Employment Division v. Smith (1990)

Rights of the Accused

Weeks v. United States (1914)

Powell v. Alabama (1932)

Betts v. Brady (1942)

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

Gideon v. Wainright (1963)

Escobedo v. Illinois (1964)

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Furman v. Georgia (1972)

Woodson v. North Carolina (1976)

Gregg v. Georgia (1976)

Atkins v. Virginia (2002)

Right to Privacy

Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Webster v. Reproductive Health Services (1987)

Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992)

Lawrence v. Texas (2003)

Civil Rights

Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)

Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States (1964)

Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978)

Grutter v. Bollinger/Gratz v. Bollinger (2003)

Korematsu v. U.S. (1944)

Public Policy

Key concepts:

• Monetary vs. fiscal policy

• Identify key threats to future of Social Security.

• Mandatory vs. discretionary spending

• Why is the Federal Reserve Board an independent regulatory commission?

• Who receive Medicare? Who receive Medicaid?

Keynesian economics

Laissez-faire economics

Gross domestic product (GDP)

Fiscal policy

Monetary policy

Federal Reserve

Inflation

Office of Management and Budget

Congressional Budget Office

Mandatory spending

Discretionary spending

Entitlement programs

Welfare (Temp. Assistance for Needy Families)

Medicare/Medicaid

Social Security

Supplementary Security Income (SSI)

Welfare Reform Act (1996)

Issue-attention cycle

Agenda setting

Policy formulation

Policy adoption

Policy implementation

Policy evaluation

Objectives of policy making

Majoritarian politics

Client politics

Free riders

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