1. AP Government Curriculum Outline
By Josef Komenda

2. Part V. - Public Policy
D. The role of the bureaucracy and the courts (judiciary) in policy implementation and interpretation
E. Linkages between policy processes and the following:
Political institution and federalism
Political Parties
Interest Groups
Public Opinion
Elections
Policy Networks

3. The Bureaucracy
Bureaucrats implement and enforce policies created by the president and congress.
Congressional laws can be vague, while bureaucratic policies are more specific and complex.
This can sometimes lead to “red tape” (confusing and complicated policy).

4. The Judiciary
The Judiciary can change policy by interpreting laws, even deeming them “unconstitutional” and throwing them out.
This is the process of Judicial Review.
Precedents (previous cases) can be used to interpret policies, and even stop laws from being passed.

5. Political Parties
Parties nominate candidates who are elected for public offices such as the president, a member of one of the houses of Congress, and others.
Political parties are also a linkage institution, helping individual’s be heard through who they vote for. Trends in voting can affect policies created by the government.

6. Interest groups
Interest groups are linkage institutions similar to political parties, but do not nominate candidates for office. Instead, they use several tactics (including PACs and lobbying) to influence policies.
Most parties focus on supporting one side of one issue.

7. Public opinion
The public use linkage institutions to make their opinion known to the government.
Office holders will listen to public opinion and change polices in hopes of re-election.

8. Elections
Elections give voters the ability to elect others who share their views on issues, and will create policies that (usually) reflect public opinion.