1. Welcome to AP Government & Politics with Coach Liverett
Welcome to AP Government & Politics with Coach Liverett! Please pick up a syllabus and calendar from the table by the door and then choose your seat

2. Our #1 Goal is nailing the AP Exam
May 8 am
60 MC in 45 minutes
4 Essays (FRQs) in 100 minutes
Very vocabulary based
If you know the vocabulary you will do well on the exam.

3. Why Study Vocabulary? Is Political Science a Foreign Language?
Despite the end of divided government and a mandate from the people, the President’s administration had difficulty creating Health Care Reform. Members from both parties were refusing to vote for a bill that did not include specific congressional oversight of the bureaucratic agency that would implement the new policy. The House Ways and Means Committee Chairman threatened to pigeonhole the bill if it did not include specific earmarks that bring pork to the constituents in his recently gerrymandered district. Even when the bill received a majority vote in the House, the bill still faced a filibuster in the Senate due to weak Democratic Party leadership, which limited their use of the cloture vote.

4. Why Study Vocabulary? Is Political Science a Foreign Language?
Despite the end of divided government and a mandate from the people, the President’s administration had difficulty creating Health Care Reform. Members from both parties were refusing to vote for a bill that did not include specific congressional oversight of the bureaucratic agency that would implement the new policy. The House Ways and Means Committee Chairman threatened to pigeonhole the bill if it did not include specific earmarks that bring pork to the constituents in his recently gerrymandered district. Even when the bill received a majority vote in the House, the bill still faced a filibuster in the Senate due to weak Democratic Party leadership, which limited their use of the cloture vote.

5. Format of the Course Reference – Syllabus
Major grade category (60%) is made up of different types of tests (MC & FRQ) and projects.
MC tests are questions completed in one class period.
FRQs (Essays) are 1 prompt completed in 25 minutes and peer graded.
Cumulative exams will occur at the end of the semester (Final Exam).
Minor grade category (40%) is made up of Chapter Quizzes, Unit Vocabularies, Article Analysis and any other daily assignments.
Sample test question…

6. About test grades…
You may not retake for an unexcused absence or a noncompliance (refusing to take the assessment on the assigned date).
You will only be allowed a retake for scoring below standard (70%).
You may not earn higher than a 70% on a retake. 
You will take a different FRQ and a different MC exam. The retake is much harder than the original, so do well the 1ST time!
Scantrons and completed FRQs are not to leave my classroom at any time. If you wish to review them to study for a retake you may do so in my supervision during my tutoring times.
Retakes DO NOT pertain to chapter quizzes.
Extra Effort! There will be plenty of opportunities to earn a desirable grade; however, hard work and improvement on mc test taking will be necessary.

7. Other Class Expectations
Textbook reading
In order for a student to be successful in a college level course of this type, it is essential that students complete all assigned readings and note taking prior to class discussion.
Attendance
Missing class will make it harder for you to be successful. If you are absent it is your responsibility to find out what you missed.
Every tardy will be documented, so get to class ON TIME.
If you have an excused absence on a test day you must make prior communication with me about when that test will be made up.
Be Respectful
Don’t Be Lazy

8. HOMEWORK Begin reading Chapter 1 in the textbook
Take reading notes as you read your chapters.
Begin to complete the Unit 1 Vocabulary.
Locke v Hobbes Analysis
Read the two excerpts from John Locke and Thomas Hobbes and complete the chart and critical thinking questions on the attached handout.
DUE Tomorrow, Tuesday, January 5th.

9. Locke v Hobbes Analysis
What is man like in a state of nature?
In order for society to succeed, what must the individual give up?
Why do we have government, what purpose does it serve?
What power does the individual have to influence their government?
What is the best form of government?
Who would Madison agree with the most?

10. Learning Objectives
Identify the key functions of government and explain why they matter
1.1
In this chapter we'll discover the differences between government and politics.

11. Partner Discussion What is government?
What is the purpose/functions of a government?
How should a government govern?

12. Crash Course - Introduction

13. Government Functions of the government 1.1 Maintain a national defense
Provide public goods and services
Preserve order
Socialize the young
Collect taxes
Government is the institutions that make public policy decisions for a society. What are these institutions in the United States?
One fundamental question to ask ourselves about government is: How should we govern? Our government is democratic, but that is not the only form government can take.
Another question to ask ourselves is: What should government do? Debates over the scope of government are fierce in America today, but there is agreement in a few areas of government responsibility, including:
• national defense
• providing public goods and services
• preserving order
• socializing the young
• and collecting taxes.
Activity: How we should be governed? What are the strengths and weaknesses of our democracy in the contemporary era? What are its weaknesses? Why? What can we do about them? This could also be used for a reading and writing connection, asking students to keep a journal that focuses on these questions throughout the semester.

14. Learning Objectives
Define politics in the context of democratic government
1.2
In this chapter we'll discover the differences between government and politics.

15. Politics What is politics? Political Participation 1.2
Who gets what, when and how
Political Participation
More than just voting – What else?
Is it important?
Do you think there are differences between different social groups and their levels of political participation?
Politics determines whom we select as our governmental leaders and what policies these leaders pursue. Or, more succinctly, politics is who gets what, when, and how.
Political participation comprises the ways people get involved in politics. Most people think first of voting when they consider political participation. This is an important form of political participation. The voter turnout rate in the U.S. is one of the lowest in the world.

16. FIGURE 1.1: Political apathy among young and old Americans, 1972–2008
1.2
FIGURE 1.1: Political apathy among young and old Americans, 1972–2008
In every presidential election from 1972 to 2008, the American National Election Studies has asked a cross-section of the public the following question: “Would you say you follow what’s going on in government and public affairs most of the time, some of the time, only now and then, or hardly at all?”
The graph shows the percentage who said they only followed politics “only now and then” or “hardly at all.” Lack of political interest among young people hit a record high during the 2000 campaign between Bush and Gore, when over two-thirds said they rarely followed public affairs. Compared to senior citizens, young people are twice as likely to report low political interest.

17. FIGURE 1.2: Age and political knowledge, 1972 and 2008
This figure shows the percentage of correct answers to questions asked in 1972 and 2008 by age group. One question was Which party currently had more seats in the House of Representatives?
In 1972, the relationship between age and political knowledge was basically flat: Each age group displayed roughly the same level of information about basic political facts. By 2008, the picture had changed quite dramatically, with young people being substantially less likely to know the answer to such questions than older people.

18. 1.2
FIGURE 1.3: Election turnout rates of young and old Americans, 1972–2010
This graph shows the turnout gap between young and old Americans in all presidential and midterm elections from 1972 through The sawtooth pattern of both lines illustrates how turnout always drops off between a presidential election and a midterm congressional election.
In 2008, turnout among young people rose to the highest level since 1972, spurred by a surge of participation by minority youth. Record rates of turnout were set by young African- Americans, who for the first time had a higher turnout rate than young whites, and by young Hispanics and Asian-Americans. What happened in 2010?

19. Learning Objectives
Assess how citizens can have an impact on public policy and how policies can impact people
1.3
We’ll look at the ways you as a citizen can get involved in the policymaking system.
We'll next examine democracy in theory and practice and, finally, consider debates about the appropriate scope of government.
Keep these learning objectives in mind as you complete this chapter.

20. FIGURE 1.4: The policymaking system 1.3
Let’s look at this graphic that shows the cycle of the policymaking system.
Policymaking begins with people. We all have problems, interests, and concerns that we expect the government to act on. How are these transmitted to government policymakers? Usually by parties, elections, interest groups, and the media, so-called linkage institutions.
These institutions help to shape the government’s policy agenda, which comprises the issues that public officials address.

21. The Policymaking Process
Step 1 – The People
What’s the problem?
Step 2 – Linkage Institutions
Bridge the gap between the people and the government.
Examples – Elections, The Media, Interest Groups, Political Parties
Step 3 – Policy Agenda
List of the issues that the government will attempt to resolve
People, of course, do not always agree on what government should do. A political issue is the result of people disagreeing about a problem or about the public policy needed to fix it. The current health care policy debate is a perfect example.
The U.S. Constitution created three policymaking institutions: Congress, the presidency, and the courts. Few policies are made by a single policymaking institution but rather by some combination, as intended by our system of checks and balances, which you'll learn more about later.

22. Policymaking Process Cont…
Step 4 – Policymaking Institutions
Those that have the power to change/make policy
Examples – Congress, the President, the Bureaucracy, the Courts
Step 5 – Policy
Taxes, Regulations, Laws, Court decisions, presidential action, Gridlock (No decision)
Step 6 – People
See if the solution worked
Every decision that government makes is public policy, and there are many forms that policy can take. Once policies are made and implemented, they should be effective, that is, they should address whatever problem they were designed to solve. Policy impacts are the effects that a policy has on people and on society’s problems. To be effective, a policy must have a goal, such as cutting crime or ensuring clean water.

23. Table 1.1: Types of public policies 1.3
This table lists five types of public policies. Which government institution makes each type?

24. Learning Objectives
Identify the key principles of democracy and outline theories regarding how it works in practice and the challenges democracy faces today
1.4
We’ll look at the ways you as a citizen can get involved in the policymaking system.
We'll next examine democracy in theory and practice and, finally, consider debates about the appropriate scope of government.
Keep these learning objectives in mind as you complete this chapter.

25. Think, Pair, Share
What has to be present for a nation to classify themselves as “democratic”?

26. Traditional Democratic Theory
Key principles of the democratic process (according to Dahl)
Equality in voting
Effective participation
Enlightened understanding
Citizen control of the agenda
Inclusion
Majority rule and minority rights
Representation
As previously mentioned, an ideal democratic process should satisfy certain criteria, including:
• equality in voting, which means one person, one vote
• effective participation, by which we mean that all citizens have an equal chance to influence the policy agenda
• enlightened understanding, which is predicated upon free speech and a free press
• citizen control of the policy agenda
• and inclusion, which we take to mean access to citizenship for all residents of a democratic nation.
Democracies must practice majority rule but the basic rights and liberties of minorities must also be protected.
Since it is impractical for all citizens to vote individually on every policy issue, we elect representatives to do that for us.

27. Three Contemporary Theories of American Democracy
Pluralism
Groups of minorities (interest groups) competing with one another to get their policy interests met.
Hyperpluralism
Too many groups compete and take complete control over the government – not the intention of elected representation
Elitism
Power is held by the upper class (wealthy)
Pluralism is the theory that groups with shared interests influence public policy through organized efforts. The National Rifle Association (NRA) is an example of an interest group. Pluralists claim that no group can dominate because all have equal access to institutions of decision making. Is this true? Pluralism depends upon interest group participation. Are Americans joiners?
Elitism contends that not all groups have equal access, that the wealthy have much more power and influence on government than the poor, and can therefore shape public policy to suit them. Current demographics and policy trends support elite theory.
Hyperpluralism is pluralism gone sour. In this view, the influence of so many groups cripples government’s ability to make policy. When politicians try to placate every group, the result is confusing, contradictory, and muddled policy.
Which theory do you subscribe to?

28. Which theory do you agree to hold true in our American government?
Partner Discussion
Which theory do you agree to hold true in our American government?

29. Challenges to Democracy
Increased complexity of issues
Average Jo can’t be an expert on everything
Limited participation
Democracy is supposed to be run by the people
Diverse political interest
Policy gridlock
Escalating campaign cost
Average Jo can’t afford to run for office
Traditional democratic theory holds that ordinary citizens have the good sense to reach political judgments and that government has the capacity to act on those judgments. But is that still true today when policy issues are so complex that they require intensive technical knowledge to make well-informed decisions?
Limited participation challenges the very foundation of democratic government. Low voter turnout and low levels of political activity by young people are an ongoing challenge.
The diversity of the American people can lead to each interest using its influence to thwart others, resulting in policy gridlock.
The close connection between money and politics is the major challenge to democracy in this country. Candidates must raise vast sums to run for office, and spend most of their time in office fundraising rather than governing.

30. Make a list of what you believe to be core American values?
Brainstorm Activity
Make a list of what you believe to be core American values?

31. American Political Culture
Liberty – aka Freedom
Egalitarianism – equality of opportunity
Individualism – people should get ahead on their own
Laissez-faire – free market economic policies
Populism – political philosophy supporting the rights of average citizens
Americans are diverse but the political culture binds us together. This set of values is widely shared, regardless of ancestry religion or heritage.
Liberty is the primary value of the American creed, far exceeding the others in its importance to Americans.
Egalitarianism in the United States involves equality of opportunity and absence of formal class distinction such as titles of nobility. Americans have never been equal in terms of condition.
Individualism is the belief that people should get ahead on their own, without assistance or interference from government. It stems from the fact that immigrants came to the New World to flee oppressive governments.
Linked to individualism is a preference for laissez-faire or free market economic policies.
Populism can be defined as a political philosophy supporting the rights of average citizens in their struggle against privileged elites.

32. FIGURE 1.5: Pride in equal treatment
1.4
FIGURE 1.5: Pride in equal treatment
of groups in the U.S. and other established democracies
Americans rank very high in terms of being proud of their country’s fair and equal treatment of all groups. This figure shows the percentages who said “very proud” or “somewhat proud” in response to the question, “How proud are you of [country] in its fair and equal treatment of all groups—very proud, somewhat proud, not very proud, not proud at all?”

33. A Culture War?
Polarization of liberal and conservative political culture
Is it happening?
Examples?
Testing a crisis of values
Loss of traditional values
Less patriotism
Irreconcilable differences
Some scholars are concerned that a sharp polarization into rival liberal versus conservative political cultures has taken place in recent years. They argue that the intensity of political divisions in twenty-first-century America is a major problem.
Other scholars see little evidence of this so-called culture war. If anything, they say, public opinion has grown more centrist, more tolerant of the divergent views, values, and behavior.
What do you think? Which side is correct?
We can test for a crisis of cultural values by asking if there has been a loss over time of traditional values, such as the importance of religion and family life, if we can make an unfavorable comparison with the citizens of other countries in terms of key values such as patriotism, and if our society is now divided into opposed groups with irreconcilable moral differences.

34. Are we (the American society) in a
Think, Pair, Share
Are we (the American society) in a
“culture war”?

35. Learning Objectives
Outline the central arguments of the debate in America over the proper scope of government
1.5

36. Scope of Government in America
How active is the American government, and is it necessary?
Very – the government spends 1/3 of its’ GDP, $3.7 trillion a year.
YES because…
Americans expect the government to solve problems
Unemployment, terrorism, illegal immigration, energy, education, lack of access to health care, etc.
Is this acceptable?
One of the most important issues facing modern American democracy is the proper scope of government. Politicians constantly debate whether the scope of government responsibilities is too vast, just about right, or not comprehensive enough. This debate concerns whether the goals that are agreed to be important are best achieved through government action or rather through means other than government.

37. Video: In the Real World
As we’ve just learned, Americans demand a lot from government. What is the government’s function in everyday life? Real people share their opinions on how involved the federal government should be in education by evaluating the effectiveness of the No Child Left Behind Act, which encourages standardized testing.