Mid-Term ReviewPart 1

AP Government 2011

What was wrong with the Articles of Confederation?

What was wrong with the Articles of Confederation?

Too weak where they needed to be strong. Central government unable to tax while it could borrow money, states not required to support the policies of the central government. Essentially, the central government was unable to deal with crisis within the new country or deal with issues from without that may have threatened the domestic tranquility of the new nation

What is Federalism?

What is Federalism?

It’s the division of power and authority between the federal and state governments (only in a federalist form of government is this possible). The federal government oversees national defense and foreign policy, the states look after education and voting issues

How has federalism affected the formation of our government?

How has federalism affected the formation of our government?

The Great Compromise, or the Connecticut Plan – the two houses of Congress, one where all states get equal representation, and the House, where representation is based on the size of each state.

What is cooperative federalism?

What is cooperative federalism?

When national, state, and local levels work together to solve problems…Throw in some money, and you have…

Fiscal federalism; which is…

What is cooperative federalism?

When national, state, and local levels work together to solve problems…Throw in some money, and you have…

Fiscal federalism; which is…The expenditure of federal funds on programs run in part through states and localities

What other parts of how we do business as a country was affected by federalism?

What other parts of how we do business as a country was affected by federalism?How we amend the constitution. It is a combination of state legislatures and Congress to get an amendment passed, also, the Electoral College. Each state is a separate entity in the electoral process, unaffected by the federal government…for the most part

What is the Electoral College?

What is the Electoral College?How we elect the President, established because the framers didn’t think the general public was very smart. Each state gets votes based on size, 270 is the magic number. As a result, candidates tend to focus their campaigns on the larger states more so than the smaller states, California instead of Wyoming.

How does the public do regarding elections in America, for the most part?

How does the public do regarding elections in America, for the most part?There are some who don’t think their vote matters much, what with 100 million people voting, but roughly only half American’s tend to vote – and that’s in the biggie election for POTUS. It’s even less for all the other elections. But there are other factors that excuse our relative voting day apathy.

What is the process to amend the Constitution?

What is the process to amend the Constitution?

A great example of federalism…Proposal; Two-thirds vote of both houses OR by Constitutional convention – called by Congress after 34 (2/3 of the state legislators) request itRatification; by 38 (3/4ths) state legislatures OR by Constitutional convention in 3/4ths (a supermajority) of the states

What is / are Checks & Balances?

What is / are Checks & Balances?

A concept that keeps one branch of government from getting too strong. For example, Congress passes a bill and the President vetoes it – but Congress can override that veto with a 2/3 vote of both houses. Very few actions of any branch of government can be made unilaterally.

What is a realigning election?

What is a realigning election?

Usually in a critical election, where the electorate responds strongly to an extraordinarily powerful issue that has disrupted the established political order. It has a lasting impact on public policy popular support for the parties, and the composition of the party coalitions. (Party Realignment)

What are America’s Core Values?

What are America’s Core Values?

Liberty; the principle that individuals should be free to act and think as they choose, provided they do not infringe unreasonably on the freedom and well-being of others…Includes things freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, etc.

Equality; The notion that all individuals are equal in their moral worth, in their treatment under the law and in their political voice.Self-government; The principle that the people are the ultimate source and property beneficiary of governing authority, in practice, a government based on majority rule. People being the ultimate source of political authority.

What was Federalist No. 10?

What was Federalist No. 10?

Written by James Madison, it was to persuade people to ratify the new Constitution…talked about special interest groups, or factions, and how they would become a part of American government, that it was inevitable, but through a good constitution with checks and balances they can be controlled.

Why does America have only two political parties?

Why does America have only two political parties?

It started with the federalists/anti-federalist issue. We have a winner-take-all system that keeps third parties from lasting very long. In the federalist arena, we have single member districts that allow for an either/or option. The plurality system

What do interest groups provide government officials?

What do interest groups provide government officials?

Many things, like information on bills and a strategy to get them passed, help getting reelected including support and money, also expert and unparalleled information on their area of interest, which is provided to not only inform but to also persuade or effect public policy.

What is public policy?

What is public policy?

When the government makes a decision to follow a course of action that is designed to produce a particular outcome. This gives organizations such as interest groups and press outlets power, so to speak, as they act as linkage institutions – called thus because they help translate inputs from the public (us) into outputs (public policy or laws) from the policymakers

What does “civil rights” mean?

What does “civil rights” mean?

To protect and provide everyone equal access to the opportunities we have in society and access to the facilities that are out there that everyone gets to use. Use of busses, restaurants, colleges and schools, jobs, clubs, unions, military service, etc…

What is de jure discrimination?

What is de jure discrimination?

Discrimination as a result of laws…separate but equal for example, or Jim Crow laws, that legally kept minorities from being part of society. De facto discrimination is when people choose to live together in the same area and end up going to the same schools, not as a result of segregation, but as a result of living patterns.

What is the a plurality system, how does it affect us?

What is the a plurality system, how does it affect us?

Essentially, it’s a winner-take-all system for our elections. 51% vote Republican, we get a Republican Senator. It’s one of the reasons we have only two parties, and third parties don’t do well, because what incentive is there to come in second or third place?

What was the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

What was the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

Started by JFK, passed by LBJ, in response to the growing Civil Rights movement. Gave minority groups ammunition in federal law suits that go after businesses that discriminate against blacks

What is it that has an effect on us, in the development of our political psyche?

What is it that has an effect on us, in the development of our political psyche?

Many things…our school and our friend, all influence us to some extent, but think of the group that has a near monopoly on our time as we grow up…the family. We may at times not care for certain members or get annoyed by their clutching attempts at control, but if there is one group that affects us politically, it’s our conservative or liberal parents.

Politically, what is the main source of conflict in these United States?

Politically, what is the main source of conflict in these United States?

One party, the Democrats – want to help provide for all those who need our help, certainly an admirable trait. But the Republicans are concerned that there’s only so much money in the bank account. Both are willing to help, the question is who and how much. So money is scarce (just look at my wallet) and we all have different people we would like to help.

Some Supreme Court Cases

Schenck v. US (1919)

Schenck v. US (1919)

Upheld the constitutionality of the Espionage Acts…Congress could restrict free speech if that speech was “of such a nature as to create a clear and present danger” to the nation’s security.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Ernesto Miranda confessed to kidnap and rape, conviction overturned because he had not been informed of his rights to remain silent and to have legal assistance.

Gitlow v. US (1925)

Gitlow v. US (1925)

Began “selective incorporation”, the incorporation into the 14th Amendment, of certain provisions of the Bill of Rights so that these rights can be protected by the federal courts from infringement by the states. (Gitlow’s conviction of advocating a violent overthrow of the US government was upheld – states not completely free to limit expression)

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Clarence Gideon, a drifter, convicted and sentenced to prison in Florida for breaking into a poolroom. Appealed to the Supreme Court on the grounds he had been denied due process because he could not pay for an attorney and Florida would not provide him with one.

Roe v. Wade

Roe v. Wade

1973 – Abortion rights, or the right of a woman to choose what to do with the baby or fetus within. Comes from the ninth amendment, and a zone of personal privacy inferred within the Bill of Rights (harboring troops in your home, right to have your papers and possessions secure, right against unreasonable search and seizure, right to not provide evidence against yourself.

The End