AP Government Lecture Notes PDF

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Lecture Guide for American Government
Focus on federalism, division of powers, and Supreme Court Cases
Lecture Notes for the Course
Government Lecture Guide...

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Government Lecture Guide & Notes US Government & Politics: GOVT106 Free Response Writing Styles

In writing free-response answers, keep in mind that there are basically THREE types of Questions:

1.The “Directed Response” type of question.

Here are some considerations for the “directed response” type of question: a. The tip-off for this type of question is the use of letters for the tasks that are to be accomplished. b. Although there is no minimum length of answer that is expected, it is crucial to have enough support for your answer. Use examples wherever possible. c. Highlight the verbs in the question that tell you what to do. Tailor your answer to what is called for in the verbs, e.g., “identify” asks for a mere listing, whereas “discuss,” “explain,” or “describe” call for more elaboration. d. To answer this type of question, simply jot down the letter for each part of the answer, and then do what the Question calls for, and no more. This type of question does NOT require an introduction, thesis, or conclusion. You get ZERO points for these.

2 2.

The "List and Discuss" type of question.

Here are some considerations for the “list and discuss” type of question: a. The tip-off for this type of question is the lack of letters in the tasks to be accomplished, and the use of numbers instead. b. It is PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE and in fact DESIRABLE to utilize a “list” or “bullet” format. Just list a factor and discuss it. c.

This type of question does NOT require an introduction, thesis, or conclusion. You get ZERO points for these.

d. Although there is no minimum length of answer that is expected, it is crucial to have enough support for your answer. Use examples e.

3.

Highlight the verbs in the question that tell you what to do. Tailor your answer to what is called for in the verbs, e.g., “identify” asks for a mere listing, whereas “discuss,” “explain,” or “describe” call for more elaboration.

The "Traditional" type of question.

Here are some considerations for the “traditional” type of question: a.

Keep the introduction SHORT. Since you do not score any points for an introduction, one or two sentences AT MOST will suffice. Just state the thesis and the points that are to be covered.

b.

Keep your sentences simple and to the point. Long, drawn-out sentences with complicated dependent clauses are difficult for the reader to follow.

c.

Unless the structure of the question requires it, granting concessions to the other point of view is too time-consuming. Devote your time to supporting the thesis.

d.

If the question does not specify how many items of supporting evidence to include, use three. You are better off supporting three points in some detail than one point in lots of detail.

e.

Depending on the structure of the question, you may not need a conclusion at all. Frequently, you will receive ZERO points for including one.

3 Multiple Choice Styles 1.

DO NOT PANIC IF YOU COME ACROSS SOME DIFFICULT QUESTIONS. THE

TEST IS DESIGNED TO INCLUDE SOME VERY TOUGH QUESTIONS IN ORDER TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN THE MORE WELL PREPARED STUDENTS AND THE LESS WELL PREPARED STUDENTS. 2.

USE AT LEAST TWO “GO THROUGHS” ON THE TEST. ON YOUR FIRST RUN,

ANSWER ONLY THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU DEFINITELY KNOW. THEN GO BACK AND DO THE OTHERS THAT YOU DID NOT ANSWER. FREQUENTLY, GOING THROUGH THE ENTIRE TEST WILL JOG YOUR MEMORY SO THAT QUESTIONS THAT AT FIRST SEEMED SO DIFFICULT SEEM MUCH EASIER AFTER THE FIRST RUN. 3.

CIRCLE ANY “EXCEPT” QUESTIONS IN ORDER TO REMIND YOURSELF THAT

YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A FALSE STATEMENT FOR THE ANSWER. (YOU ARE ALLOWED TO WRITE ON THE AP TEST) 4. DO NOT CHANGE AN ANSWER UNLESS YOU ARE CERTAIN THAT IT IS CORRECT. MAKE SURE THAT ALL ERASURES ARE CLEAR 5.

SINCE 1/4 OF A POINT IS SUBTRACTED FOR INCORRECT ANSWERS, YOU

SHOULD AVOID RANDOM GUESSING. YOU SHOULD, HOWEVER, GUESS IF YOU CAN ELIMINATE AT LEAST TWO CHOICES. 6.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE CLOCK. YOU HAVE 45 MINUTES TO ANSWER 60

QUESTIONS.

4 Here are the types of questions that typically appear on the A.P. test: 1. The basic information type of question: Since the 1970s, which long-time Democratic region of the U.S. has shifted its electoral support to the Republican Party? a.

New England.

b.

The Far West.

c.

The Great Plains.

d.

The South.

e.

The Rocky Mountain states.

2. The application type of question: Which of these would be most likely to vote in a presidential election? a.

An unemployed 45-year-old white male.

b.

A 54-year-old Asian with a high school education.

c.

A 34-year-old black female college professor.

d.

A 22-year-old white male college student.

e.

A 58-year-old white male carpenter.

3. The except type of question All of these are functions of interest groups EXCEPT: a.

Making campaign contributions.

b.

Lobbying executive branch agencies.

c.

Providing information to members of Congress.

d.

Helping members of Congress draft legislation.

e.

Nominating candidates for public office

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4. The Roman numeral type of question: Presidents have which of the following powers? I.

Commanding the armed forces.

II.

Appropriating funds.

Ill

Impeaching and removing public officials.

IV

Signing or vetoing proposed constitutional amendments.

V.

Removing federal judges from office. a.

I only.

b.

l, lV only.

c.

lll, V only.

d.

I, II, and IV only.

e.

5.

l, ll, and V only.

The quotation type of question: “In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions.” The “auxiliary precautions” referred to in the above quotation include which of the following?

a.

Regular elections.

b.

Rule of law.

c.

Checks and balances.

d.

Majority rule with minority rights.

6 e.

Popular sovereignty.

6. The graphics type of question: 1994 Campaign Spending By Democratic House Incumbents and Republican Challengers AVERAGE CAMPAIGN SPENDING DEMOCRATIC

REPUBLICAN

INCUMBENT

CHALLENGER

Democrat won with over 70% of the vote

$373,524

$23,881

Democrat won with between 60 and 70% of the vote $455,136

$109,542

Democrat won with less than 60% of the vote

$268,203

Democrat lost

$693,973 $943,588

$612,588

Which of these does the table above suggest? a.

Democrats won a majority of seats in the House in 1994.

b.

Republican challengers had no chance of winning House seats in 1994.

c. Poorly-financed Republican challengers had a difficult time of winning House seats in 1994. d. Republican incumbents were outspent by Democratic incumbents in 1994. e. Democratic incumbents who won by large margins spent more than Democratic incumbents who won by smaller margins.

7 The Origins of Government I.

The Need For Government A.

Politics is the process by which policy decisions are made.

B.

Examples-

II.

Idea’s for Government A.

Aristotle- Natural Law

B.

Pilgrims- Popular Consent

C.

John Locke- Social Contract

D.

Thomas Hobbes- Leviathan

III.

Types of Governments

A.

Monarchy

B.

Oligarchy

C.

Aristocracy

D.

Democracy 1.

Majority Rule

2. Popular Sovereignty

8 Ideology and Public Policy I. Background. A. Ideology: an integrated set of beliefs and values that shape a person’s views. B. There is a smaller percentage of ideologues in our two-party system than in the multi-party systems used in Europe. The stronger parties in Europe make it easier for ideologues to find a place to “fit in.” II. Liberalism. A. Classical liberalism of 18th century. 1.

Limited role of government.

2.

Government was seen as the chief threat to liberty.

3.

“That government is best which governs least.”

4.

The role of government to protect property rights.

B.

Modern liberalism of 20th century. (New Deal liberalism) 1.

2.

Expanded role of government. Corporations seen as the chief threat to liberty.

3. Need for a strong central government to “smooth out the rough edges of capitalism.” 4. C.

The role of government is to protect people’s well-being. Strong influence of liberalism, 1930’s - 1970’s.

D. Discrediting of liberalism in 1980’s and 1990’s: a feeling that liberalism had “gone too far.” Need to get back to more individualism and less reliance on big govt. E.

“Neo-liberals.” 1.

Less likely to rely upon government as a solution to problems.

2. Government certainly has some role to play, but not as big a role as desired by New Deal liberals. Ill.

Conservatism.

9 A. Essentially classical liberalism. B. Resurgence since late 70’s: 1.

Reagan/Bush.

2.

Republican control of the Senate 1980-86.

3.

104th, 105th, 106th, 107th Republican Congresses.

4.

Strength in the formerly “solid South.”

5. Reversal of the trend since the 1930’s to automatically look to government as the solution to our problems. 6.

Emphasis today on the private sector to solve problems.

C. “Neo-conservatives” and the New Right: more extreme conservatives: 1. Social policy neo-conservatives emphasize social issues like prayer in school, anti-abortion, anti-homosexuality. Sometimes known as the “Religious Right.” 2. Economic neo-conservatives want to unleash market forces to attack various ills in society. “If we just cut taxes and free up the free enterprise system everything will improve. 3. Foreign policy neo-conservatives are neo-isolationists who want to defend the national interest, are wary of any “new world order,” are wary of international organizations like the UN, WTO, IMF, World Bank, and they are wary of NAFTA. D. “Compassionate conservatism” of George W. Bush Jr. A more moderate brand of conservatism. IV. Socialism A. System in which means of production, distribution, and exchange are controlled by government. B. Strong impact upon Western Europe. C. Many associate it with radicalism. D. Americans have a strong belief in individualism,

10 V. Libertarianism. A. Extreme emphasis on individual liberty. B. Extreme cutback on role of government. They essentially believe that government should only defend the nation.

11

The Rise of Democracy in the U.S. I. Democracy: A. Rule by the people. B. Two types: 1. Direct: rule by the people themselves 2. Indirect (representative): rule by elected representatives C. Founders’ distrust of direct democracy: 1. Impracticalities. 2. Fleeting passions of the people led to a concern that demagogues would sway the people. II. Republic. A. Same as indirect democracy. B. Solves problems of direct democracy. C. “Secures the advantages of direct democracy while curing its weaknesses.” Ill. Distribution of power in our system. A. Majoritarian politics view: leaders are heavily influenced by the will of the people. B. Elite politics views: 1. Marxist: influence of economic elites. 2. Wright Mills: influence of the power elite: corporate, military, and political 3. Max Weber: influence of bureaucracy. C. Pluralist view: 1.Political resources are so scattered that no single elite has a monopoly on them.

12 2.There are so many institutions in which power is exercised that no single elite could possibly control all of them. 3. Pluralism therefore argues that many groups compete with each other for control over policy. Policy is therefore the outcome of political haggling, innumerable compromises, and ever-shifting alliances among groups. D. Interest Group (Hyperpluralist) view: 1.“Pluralism gone sour.” 2.There are so many groups, and they are so strong, that government has become grid locked and is unable to act. IV. Fundamental democratic values. A. Popular sovereignty. B. Respect for the individual. C. Liberty. D. Equality of opportunity more than the result. V. Fundamental democratic processes. A. Free and fair elections, with competing political parties. B. Majority rule with minority rights. Fear of “tyranny of the majority” led to protection of property rights. C. Freedom of expression. D. Right to assemble and protest. VI. Fundamental democratic structures. A. Federalism. B. Separation of powers. C. Checks and balances. D. Constitutionalism.

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The Origins of Government I.

The Need For Government A.

Politics is the process by which policy decisions are made.

B.

Examples-

II.

Idea’s for Government A.

Aristotle- Natural Law

B.

Pilgrims- Popular Consent

C.

John Locke- Social Contract

D.

Thomas Hobbes- Leviathan

III.

Types of Governments

A.

Monarchy

B.

Oligarchy

C.

Aristocracy

D.

Democracy 1.

Majority Rule

2. Popular Sovereignty

14

Choosing the U.S. Economic System I. Economic Systems: A.

Capitalism- The US system. Based on supply and demand.

B.

Laissez-Faire- Government keeps its hands off of the economy.

C.

Socialism- "From each according to ability, to each according to need".

D.

Communism- Abolishment of all class differences.

II. Understanding the Differences of Political and Economic Systems ARISTOCRATISM: You have two cows. You sell both and buy one really big cow - with a pedigree. BUREAUCRACY: You have two cows. At first the government regulates what you can feed them and when you can milk them. Then it pays you not to milk them. Then it takes both, shoots one, milks the other and pours the milk down the drain. Then it requires you to fill out forms accounting for the missing cows. CAPITALISM: You have two cows. You sell one of them, and buy a bull. COMMUNISM: You have two cows. The government takes both cows. The government sells the milk in government stores. You can't afford the milk. You wither away. DEMOCRACY -- AMERICAN (a republic): You have two cows. The government exercises those powers delegated to it by the people, who are sovereign. The majority does not rule because the people and their representatives (elected, appointed and employed) are constrained by various checks and balances, including the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the three co-equal branches of government, and the 50 state republics (see, e.g., Article IV, section 4). So what the government does with your cows and with the milk from those cows depends on the interaction between the people and the checks and balances mentioned above.

15 DICTATORSHIP: You have two cows. The government takes both cows and drafts you. LIBERALISM: You have two cows. You sell both to the rich. The government then taxes the rich one cow and gives it to the poor. LIBERTARIANISM: Go away. What I do with my cows is none of your business. NAZISM: You have two cows. The government takes both and then shoots you. SOCIALISM -- PURE: You have two cows. The government takes them and puts them in a barn with everyone else's cows. You have to take care of all the cows. The government gives you as much milk as you need. SURREALISM: You have two giraffes. The government requires you to take harmonica lessons.

16

Timeline to the Constitution Event- 1492- Columbus “discovers” America. Event- 1517- Martin Luther writes his 95 Theses.

Event- 1519-33- The Spanish conquer the Inca’s and Aztecs.

Event- 1585-90- Sir Walter Raleigh attempts to establish a colony on Roanoke Island.

Event- 1607- Jamestown becomes the first successful English colony.

Event- 1619- The Pilgrims arrive in Plymouth Massachusetts.

Event- 1639- The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut are established.

Event- 1651- The Navigation Acts are ratified by the British.

Event- 1756- The French and Indian War is fought.

Event- 1763- The Proclamation of 1763 is ratified by the British.

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Event- 1764- The Sugar Act is ratified by the British.

Event- 1765- The Stamp Act is ratified by the British.

Event- 1767- The Townshend Acts are ratified by the British.

Event- 1770- The Boston Massacre occurs.

Event- 1773- The Boston Tea Party occurs.

Event- 1774- The first Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia.

Event- 1775- The Battles at Lexington and Concord occur.

Event- 1775- The Second Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia.

Event- 1776- Thomas Paine releases the pamphlet Common Sense.

Event- 1776- The Second Continental Congress adopts the “Resolution of in independence”.

18 Origins of the American Republic I.

Sources of the Constitution. A. British customs and traditions B. Colonial experiences C. State constitutions written after the Declaration of Independence D. Experiences under Articles of Confederation

II.

Constitutional Convention, 1787. A. Background.

1. Declaration of Independence ---> Rev. War ---> Articles of Confederation and its weaknesses: a. No power to tax. b. No chief executive. c. No national judiciary. d. No power to regulate interstate or foreign commerce. e. No national currency. 2. Annapolis Convention, 1786: called to improve Articles. 3. Shays' Rebellion, 1786---> necessity of a stronger national government. B. Delegates. 1. Characteristics: ‘swell-read, well-bred, well-fed, and well-wed.” 2. Participants: a. Madison: “Father of Constitution” b. Washington: presiding officer c. Franklin: “elder statesman.” d. Morris: largely responsible for final wording of Constitution e. Hamilton: most forceful advocate for strong central government.

19 3. Charles Beard’s Economic Interpretation of the United States a. Constitution was written by propertied class ---> naturally reflected those interests. b. Rebuttals: 1) Most people owned property. 2) Even the poor, in hopes of someday owning property, wanted to protect property. 3) Establishing a democratic government involved risks and dangers and led to the need to build in safeguards and prot...