AP Gov’t UNIT I “Mile-a-Minute Mini Lecture” FOUNDATIONS OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Chapter 1: Introducing Gov’t in America I. Introduction pg. 2 Politics and government matter = those who participate get the “goodies” Many Americans, especially young people are apathetic II. Government pg. 8 What is it? Institutions that make authoritative decisions that apply to all of society In the US = Congress / Prez / Courts / Bureaucracy What should it do? Governments maintain national defense Governments provide public services Governments have police powers to provide order Governments socialize the young into the political culture Governments collect taxes.

Chapter 1: Introducing Gov’t in America III. Politics - “Who gets what, when, and how” pg. 10 Who = voters, candidates, groups & parties What = public policies (who bears the burdens & who gets the benefits) How = political participation i.e. voting, bargaining, supporting, lobbying IV. The Policymaking System pg. 11 People Shape Policy Linkage Institutions Policy Agenda Political Issues Policymaking Institutions Public Policy Policies Impact People

Chapter 1: Introducing Gov’t in America V. Democracy pg. 14 Defining Democracy Direct Democracy a.k.a. Participatory Democracy Representative Democracy a.k.a. Republic Traditional Democratic Theory pg. 15 equality in voting = “one man, one vote” effective participation = good voter turnout rates enlightened understanding = access to quality info on which to make decisions citizen control of the agenda = quality representation Inclusion = citizenship is open to all also practice majority rule and preserve minority rights

Chapter 1: Introducing Gov’t in America Three Theories of American Democracy pg. 15 Pluralist theory Elite and class theory Hyperpluralism Challenges to Democracy pg. 18 increased technical expertise held by only a few limited participation in government escalating campaign costs VI. The Scope of Government in America pg. 23 How Active is American Government? Gov’t spends 1/3 of GDP Gov’t employs approx. 20 mill. Americans Gov’t owns 1/3 of the land A Comparative Perspective American Individualism = Preference of free markets & limited gov’t

Ch. 2: The Constitution I. The Origins of the Constitution pg. 32 A. The Road to Revolution & Declaring Independence B. John Locke & Jefferson’s Handiwork Natural rights = life / liberty / property Gov’t should be limited Gov’t should be based on the consent of the governed Gov’t must provide laws and judge fairly TJ = switch to “pursuit of happiness” C. Winning Independence & The “Conservative” Revolution Revolution didn’t change social / economic / class

Ch. 2: The Constitution II. The Government That Failed: pg.37 A. The Articles of Confederation No president or Supreme Court Congress had few powers outside of maintaining an army Congress couldn’t tax Power rested in state gov’ts and states coined their own $$ Changes to A of C had to be unanimous B. Changes in the States & Economic Turmoil C. Shays’ Rebellion & The Almost-Pointless Annapolis Meeting

Ch. 2: The Constitution III. Making a Constitution: The Philadelphia Convention pg. 40 A. Gentlemen in Philadelphia B. Philosophy in Action A cynical view of human nature A belief that the primary source of political conflict was the unequal distribution of wealth, resulting in the growth of factions A belief that the principal objective of government was the preservation of individual rights to acquire and hold wealth A belief that government should be balanced with power set against power, and limited, to contain checks on its power IV. The Agenda in Philadelphia pg. 43 Equality Issues State Representation (NJ Plan + Virginia Plan = Connecticut Compromise) Slavery (3/5 th Compromise & Sunset on the slave trade) Voting (Compromise = states decide voting qualifications)

Ch. 2: The Constitution B. The Economic Issues Only Fed gov’t can coin $$ Congress has the power to tax & borrow Congress has power to regulate interstate & foreign commerce C. The Individual Rights Issues No Bill of Rights b/c states all had their own Bans ex post facto laws & bills of attainder Upholds the writ of habeas corpus & trial by jury

Ch. 2: The Constitution V. The Madisonian Model pg. 48 A. Thwarting Tyranny of the Majority Placed on the House of Representatives within the power of the people Set of checks & balances B. The Constitutional Republic Must balance the will of the people with the authority of the Constitution = slow incremental change

Ch. 2: The Constitution VI. Ratifying the Constitution pg. 51 Federalist vs. the Anti-Federalists Federalist Papers Additions of the Bill of Rights VII. Constitutional Change pg. 55 A. The Formal Amending Process Step 1: Proposal 2/3 of both houses of Congress OR National Convention Step 2: Ratification ¾ of state legislatures OR ¾ of state conventions

Ch. 2: The Constitution B.The Informal Process of Constitutional Change Judicial Interpretation Judicial Review Political Practice Technology Demands on policymakers – “Elastic Clause”

Ch. 3: Federalism I. Defining Federalism pg. 70 A. What Is Federalism? A way of organizing a nation so that more than one level of gov’t has authority over the same land and people B. Why Is Federalism So Important? Decentralizes our politics = more opportunities to participate Decentralizes our policies = states can solve the same problem many different ways Makes our judicial branch more important Creates debates over overlapping powers

Unitary ie. Most nations Confederate ie. The UN Federal ie. US & Mexico Central Gov’t Holds all power Regulates activities of states Holds very limited power over states Shares power with the states State Gov’t Little or no powers Regulated by central government Sovereign Allocates some duties to central government Shares powers with the central government Citizens Vote for central government officials ONLY Vote for state government officials ONLY Votes for both state & central officials

Ch. 3: Federalism II. The Constitutional Basis of Federalism pg. 74 The Division of Power Supremacy Clause = Constitution, treaties & laws passed by Congress are the supreme law of the land 10 th Amendment = powers not given to Congress, or prohibited to the states are reserved to the states and the people Establishing National Supremacy McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) & Implied Powers (Elastic Clause) Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) – broad commerce powers The Civil War

Ch. 3: Federalism C. States’ Obligations to Each Other pg. 79 Article IV and “full faith and credit” Extradition “Privileges and immunities” III. Intergovernmental Relations Today pg. 81 A. From Dual to Cooperative Federalism Dual = layer cake = 1787 to New Deal (1930’s) Cooperative = marble cake = 1930’s to present

Ch. 3: Federalism Fiscal Federalism pg. 85 Categorical grants Project grants = like a scholarship / competitive application Formula grants = Congress writes formula / if your state fits formula you get the grant Block grants = gives states more freedom to spend in a way that suits their individual needs Cross-cutting Requirements Underfunded Mandates