AP Government Exam Review Project

Kara Smith B8

Revenue Sharing

• A law providing for the distribution of a fixed amount or share of federal tax revenues to the states for spending on any government purpose.

• Distribution was intended to send more money to poorer, heavily taxed states and less to richer ones.

• For example, provinces or states may share revenue with local governments, or national governments may share revenue with provinces or states.

Mandates and Unfunded Mandates

• Unfunded Mandate: a statute or regulation that requires a state or local government to perform certain actions, yet provides no money for fulfilling the requirements.

• It is the responsibility of the state or local government to pay for the implementation of the law. In the end, it is local taxpayers who end up footing the bill.

• Example: Clean Air Act. It required states to implement plans to adhere to their standards.

• Mandate: A requirement the federal government imposes as a condition for receiving federal funds

• It is the governments way of keeping control on the states• Example: Real ID Act . Loss of Federal Highway funds &

denial of passports for residents of States that don't comply.

Political Socialization• The process by which people form their ideas

about politics (political orientation) and acquire their ideas about government.

• Agents of socialization: Family, School/Peers, Events, Religion, Race, Gender, and Age

• The role played by mass-media is equally important in educating the masses and clearing their views for making informed decisions regarding political affairs.

• It plays a very crucial role during elections.

Public Opinion• Views prevalent among the general public.• In the U.S., where the government’s legitimacy

depends on the participation of the people, public polling is an important method of communicating the opinions of citizens to elected leaders to help guide policy decisions.

• Example: In 1995, the University of Maryland Research Organization released an opinion survey that found that 75% of the respondents thought the national government spent too much money on foreign-aid programs

Straw Polls

• An unofficial ballot conducted as a test of opinion

• The results of straw polls are taken by the media to influence delegates in caucus later (as well as delegates to political conventions), and thus serve as important precursors.

• For example, Romney won the Michigan straw poll in September 2011.