A.P. Government Review Sheet for Semester Final

Constitution and Federalism

 

  1. Philosophical beliefs of John Locke
  2. Why a federal government was created in the United States (Federalist #10)
  3. Where power rested in the Articles of Confederation
  4. Formal and Informal Amendment process
  5. Article One, Section 8 – what is stated
  6. Separation of powers – definition and how it’s different from checks and balances
  7. Full Faith and Credit Clause in the Constitution
  8. How constitutional change occurs under the U.S. Constitution
  9. Mandates – what they are and why they are difficult for states
  10. Block Grants/categorical grants/revenue sharing - differences
  11. Jim Jeffords – Democracy in America episode

 

Congress, and The Presidency

  1. Midterm election – what they are
  2. Compare/contrast House and Senate members
  3. Reapportionment – what it is, when and where it happens
  4. Constituency vs. Committee – differences
  5. The Presidency and the media – how and why he (and maybe she) uses it

 

Judiciary, Bureaucracy and Political Socialization

  1. Definition of bureaucracy
  2.  Six reasons implementation fails
  3. How Congress controls the bureaucracy
  4. Iron Triangle
  5. Court terms – litigation, standing, amicus curaie
  6. Rodney King case – why there was a federal and state court case
  7. How interest groups try to influence the Supreme Court

 

Interest Groups, Voting, Parties, Elections and Media

 

  1. Party as a label, party in the electorate and party in power – know differences
  2. Free rider problem
  3. Olson’s Theory of Interest Groups
  4. Motivation of news agencies
  5. Split Ticket voting
  6. H.Ross Perot and public opinion polls
  7. Minor parties – what they contribute
  8. Trial Balloons
  9. NEW QUESTION:  Why it is ok for Iowa and New Hampshire to be early contests in the primary season even though they are smaller states.

 

Civil Rights and Foreign Policy

  1. Difference between civil liberties and civil rights
  2. Incorporation Doctrine
  3. Bush Doctrine
  4. NGO – Non-Governmental Organization
  5. Difference between Bosnia in 1990s and Iraq           in 2000s
  6. Foreign Aid – where does it come from in America and is it useful? 
  7. Microfinancing