AP Government

1
AP Government Politics

• Introducing Government in America

2
Introducing Government in America

• Chapter 1-- Key Points

3
Introduction

• Politics and government matter.
• Americans are apathetic about politics and
  government.
• American youth are less likely to be informed
  about government and politics and participate
  less in politics.

4
(No Transcript)
5
Political Knowledge- Why it Matters?

• Fosters civic virtues (political tolerance)
• Helps citizens to identify what policies would
  truly benefit and then incorporate them into
  their voting behavior.
• Promotes active participation

6

• Presidential Election Turnout Rates by Age
  (Figure 1.3)

Why does it Matter?- If you participate you are
more likely to benefit. (Medicare/draft)
7
New Techniques

• Young people need to get into habit of politics.
• Media surfing
• Politicians need to find a new way to reach the
  young.

8
Dilemmas

• How should we govern?
• ideal democracy vs. actual democracy
• What should government do?
• Scope of government? Big/Small

9
Common Government Functions

• Maintain a national defense
• Provide public services
• Preserve order
• Collect taxes
• Socialize the young

10
The Policymaking System

• The process by which policy comes into being and
  evolves over time.
• Policy means that a goal exists.
• Figure 1.4

11
Policy Impacts People
12
Democracy

• Definition
• A system of selecting policymakers and of
  organizing government so that policy represents
  and responds to the publics preferences.
• Equality in voting
• Effective participation
• Enlightened understanding
• Citizen control of the agenda
• Inclusion

13
Theories of U.S. Democracy

• Pluralist Theory
• A theory of government and policies emphasizing
  that politics is mainly a competition among
  groups, each one pressing for its own preferred
  policies.
• Groups will work together
• Public interest will prevail

14
Theories of U.S. Democracy

• Elite and Class Theory
• A theory of government and politics contending
  that societies are divided along class lines and
  that an upper-class elite will rule, regardless
  of the formal niceties of governmental
  organization.
• Not all groups are equal
• Policies benefit those with money / power

15
Theories of U.S. Democracy

• Hyperpluralism
• A theory of government and politics contending
  that groups are so strong that government is
  weakened.
• There are too many ways for groups to control
  policy.
• Confusing / contradictory policies

16
Challenges to Democracy

• Increased Technical Expertise
• Limited Participation in Govt.
• How active is our government?
• American Individualism
• Questions about the Scope of Government

17
Quiz Review
18

• Which of the following is the best indication of
  pluralism in American politics?
• a. The American Association of Retired Persons
  has the largest membership of any interest group.
• b. Third parties often endorse candidates for
  office, but rarely do they win elections.
• c. The federal bureaucracy is expanding as more
  and more citizens are hired for federal jobs.
• d. More than 20,000 interest groups lobby
  Congress each year.
• e. Citizens are able to vote in local, state,
  and national elections.

19

• Which of the following is the best indication of
  pluralism in American politics?
• a. The American Association of Retired Persons
  has the largest membership of any interest group.
• b. Third parties often endorse candidates for
  office, but rarely do they win elections.
• c. The federal bureaucracy is expanding as more
  and more citizens are hired for federal jobs.
• d. More than 20,000 interest groups lobby
  Congress each year.
• e. Citizens are able to vote in local, state,
  and national elections.

20

• All of the following are characteristics of
  traditional democracy EXCEPT
• a. an informed electorate
• b. a bill of rights
• c. public participation
• d. equal access to government institutions
• e. national elections

21

• All of the following are characteristics of
  traditional democracy EXCEPT
• a. an informed electorate
• b. a bill of rights
• c. public participation
• d. equal access to government institutions
• e. national elections

22

• According to elite theorists, which of the
  following statements describe the American
  political system?
• I. Political action committees translate the
  financial power of large corporations into
  political influence.
• II. Interest groups fairly shape the public
  agenda by representing the interests of all
  Americans.
• III. The wealthiest one percent of the public
  are in some way responsible for most policy
  making.
• IV. Policy making relies heavily upon
  compromise, because interest groups receive equal
  access to the policy arena.
• a. I only
• b. II only
• c. I and III only
• d. II and IV only
• e. I, II, and IV only

23

• According to elite theorists, which of the
  following statements describe the American
  political system?
• I. Political action committees translate the
  financial power of large corporations into
  political influence.
• II. Interest groups fairly shape the public
  agenda by representing the interests of all
  Americans.
• III. The wealthiest one percent of the public
  are in some way responsible for most policy
  making.
• IV. Policy making relies heavily upon
  compromise, because interest groups receive equal
  access to the policy arena.
• a. I only
• b. II only
• c. I and III only
• d. II and IV only
• e. I, II, and IV only

24

• The United State is not a direct democracy
  because
• a. the population has increased too rapidly in
  the last 100 years.
• b. the authors of the Constitution did not trust
  the public to make informed decisions.
• c. the Constitution prohibits direct
  representation.
• d. the separation of powers would not work in a
  direct democracy.
• e. a direct democracy would not fairly
  represent all Americans.

25

• The United State is not a direct democracy
  because
• a. the population has increased too rapidly in
  the last 100 years.
• b. the authors of the Constitution did not trust
  the public to make informed decisions.
• c. the Constitution prohibits direct
  representation.
• d. the separation of powers would not work in a
  direct democracy.
• e. a direct democracy would not fairly
  represent all Americans.

26

• Which of the following concepts best demonstrates
  the theory of democracy?
• a. The rights of the accused
• b. Separation of powers
• c. Majority rule
• d. Bicameralism
• e. Big Business

27

• Which of the following concepts best demonstrates
  the theory of democracy?
• a. The rights of the accused
• b. Separation of powers
• c. Majority rule
• d. Bicameralism
• e. Big Business

28

• Approximately 56 of interest groups do favors
  for government officials as a means of lobbying.
  This is an example of
• a. elite theory.
• b. hyperpluraism.
• c. dectralization.
• d. pluraist theory.
• e. representative democracy.

29

• Approximately 56 of interest groups do favors
  for government officials as a means of lobbying.
  This is an example of
• a. elite theory.
• b. hyperpluraism.
• c. dectralization.
• d. pluraist theory.
• e. representative democracy.

30

• A citizen who disapproves of proposed legislation
  can do all the following EXCEPT
• a. call or write a letter to his or her senator.
• b. vote for a different candidate in the next
  election.
• c. join a political interest group.
• d. vote against the legislation.
• e. participate in a protest.

31

• A citizen who disapproves of proposed legislation
  can do all the following EXCEPT
• a. call or write a letter to his or her senator.
• b. vote for a different candidate in the next
  election.
• c. join a political interest group.
• d. vote against the legislation.
• e. participate in a protest.

32

• According to pluralists, a wealthy interest group
  would
• a. have more access to policymakers.
• b. compete with other interest groups for an
  equal share of influence.
• c. buy all of the votes on a piece of
  legislation.
• d. manipulate public opinion to influence
  Congress.
• e. have no influence on the policy agenda.

33

• According to pluralists, a wealthy interest group
  would
• a. have more access to policymakers.
• b. compete with other interest groups for an
  equal share of influence.
• c. buy all of the votes on a piece of
  legislation.
• d. manipulate public opinion to influence
  Congress.
• e. have no influence on the policy agenda.

34

• Which of the following is the best example of a
  right of the minority?
• a. Protection against double jeopardy
• b. Equal access to public education
• c. The ability to become a civil employee
• d. The practice of one person, one vote
• e. Freedom to circulate pamphlets

35

• Which of the following is the best example of a
  right of the minority?
• a. Protection against double jeopardy
• b. Equal access to public education
• c. The ability to become a civil employee
• d. The practice of one person, one vote
• e. Freedom to circulate pamphlets

36

• Hyperpluralists differ from pluralists in their
  belief that
• a. the representation of too many interests is
  detrimental to policymaking.
• b. only the wealthiest lobbyists are heard in
  Congress.
• c. power should be centralized in one branch of
  government.
• d. competition among groups leads to compromise
  and, hence, stronger policy.
• e. political groups get their funds exclusively
  from big business.

37

• Hyperpluralists differ from pluralists in their
  belief that
• a. the representation of too many interests is
  detrimental to policymaking.
• b. only the wealthiest lobbyists are heard in
  Congress.
• c. power should be centralized in one branch of
  government.
• d. competition among groups leads to compromise
  and, hence, stronger policy.
• e. political groups get their funds exclusively
  from big business.

38

• FRQ
• "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that
  all men are created equal, that they are endowed
  by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,
  that among these are Life, Liberty and the
  Pursuit of Happiness.--- That to secure these
  rights, Governments are instituted among Men,
  deriving their just powers from the consent of
  the governed,-- That whenever any form of
  Government becomes destructive of these ends, it
  is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish
  it. . ."
• How does this passage from the Declaration of
  Independence foreshadow the political system
  later set forth in the Constitution? In your
  response, identify TWO elements of traditional
  democratic theory which are found in that
  political system. Explain these elements of
  traditional democratic theory help achieve the
  ideals expressed in this passage.

39

• How does this passage from the Declaration of
  Independence foreshadow the political system
  later set forth in the Constitution? In your
  response, identify TWO elements of traditional
  democratic theory which are found in that
  political system. Explain how these elements of
  traditional democratic theory help achieve the
  ideals expressed in this passage.

40

• Foreshadow make a connection between DI and
  future govt.(1pt.)
• Identify 2 characteristics of traditional
  democratic theory(2pt)
• Equality in voting
• Effective participation
• Enlightened understanding
• Citizen control of the agenda
• Inclusion
• 3. Explain how statement each characteristic you
  chose helps achieve the ideals expressed in the
  Declaration.(2pt)