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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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