Basic ReviewBasic ReviewAP Government & PoliticsAP Government & Politics

Created by Created by The Marist Summer InstituteThe Marist Summer InstituteU.S. Government and PoliticsU.S. Government and Politics

Tony Cordell, FacilitatorTony Cordell, Facilitator

2003 - 20072003 - 2007

The “Seven” Basic PointsThe “Seven” Basic Points

Constitutional UnderpinningsConstitutional Underpinnings Political Beliefs and BehaviorsPolitical Beliefs and Behaviors Political Parties, Interest Groups & Political Parties, Interest Groups &

Mass MediaMass Media Institutions of GovernmentInstitutions of Government

– Congress, Executive, and JudicialCongress, Executive, and Judicial Public PolicyPublic Policy Civil Rights and Civil LibertiesCivil Rights and Civil Liberties

The U.S. ConstitutionThe U.S. Constitution Basic PrinciplesBasic Principles

Separation of power & checks and balancesSeparation of power & checks and balances FederalismFederalism Representation Representation

BicameralismBicameralism State to State RelationsState to State Relations Amending ProcessAmending Process Supremacy ClauseSupremacy Clause

Legislative BranchLegislative Branch Organizational StructureOrganizational Structure

Political Parties & LeadershipPolitical Parties & Leadership Committee SystemsCommittee Systems

Party influence on the committee Party influence on the committee systemsystem

Review Qualifications of the membersReview Qualifications of the members Basic Responsibilities of the HouseBasic Responsibilities of the House Basic Responsibilities of the SenateBasic Responsibilities of the Senate Relationship with the other branchesRelationship with the other branches

Main PointsMain Points

House – 2 yearsHouse – 2 years ReapportionmentReapportionment RedistrictingRedistricting ConstituencyConstituency Speaker of the HouseSpeaker of the House Exclusive CommitteesExclusive Committees ImpeachmentImpeachment Midterms ElectionsMidterms Elections Domestic FocusDomestic Focus

Senate – 6 years Senate – 6 years Equal Equal

RepresentationRepresentation Broader Broader

constituencyconstituency Majority LeaderMajority Leader Tries ImpeachmentTries Impeachment Advice & ConsentAdvice & Consent Midterm ElectionsMidterm Elections Foreign PolicyForeign Policy

CongressCongress

“…“…enumerated, implied, and commerce enumerated, implied, and commerce powers…”powers…”

All laws must pass both housesAll laws must pass both houses Power to override vetoPower to override veto Must pass a budget each yearMust pass a budget each year Propose Constitutional AmendmentsPropose Constitutional Amendments Creates and funds federal agenciesCreates and funds federal agencies “…“…elections are the best term limits…”elections are the best term limits…”

The PresidentThe President

Formal PowersFormal Powers Commander-in-chiefCommander-in-chief Executes the LawExecutes the Law Veto PowerVeto Power Appointment PowerAppointment Power Pardoning PowerPardoning Power Foreign PolicyForeign Policy Policy InitiatorPolicy Initiator State of the UnionState of the Union

Informal PowerInformal Power Head of PartyHead of Party Head of StateHead of State Inherent PowersInherent Powers Executive PrivilegeExecutive Privilege

Constitutional AmendmentsConstitutional Amendments

Twelfth Amendment - Two BallotsTwelfth Amendment - Two Ballots Twentieth Amendment – Lame DuckTwentieth Amendment – Lame Duck Twenty-second – term limits – 10 Twenty-second – term limits – 10

yearsyears Twenty-third Amendment – Three Twenty-third Amendment – Three

from DCfrom DC Twenty-fifth Amendment - SuccessionTwenty-fifth Amendment - Succession

Election of the President

Caucuses and Primaries – Delegates National Convention – Nomination National Convention – Running Mate National Convention – Party Platform Campaigns and impact of Mass Media General Election Electoral College

Electoral College

Number of Senators & Representatives Three from “D.C.” States control selection of electors Each party has own slate of electors Voters vote for electors Electors vote for the President Based on Popular vote – winner-take-all

Electoral College - continued

Electors vote in December Votes counted in January Candidate must have 270 votes In a tie – House elects President In a tie – Senate elects Vice-president

Possible reforms

District System The “Maryland Plan” Keep the College…remove electors Popular vote Constitutional Amendments ???

Executive Branch – “bureaucracy”

The Cabinet Independent Agencies

– Executive – “cabinet like”– Regulatory – “protects consumers”– Corporations – “Post Office and TVA

Nominated by President Confirmed by the Senate Implementation of Policy

– Quasi-legislative, quasi-judicial, and oversight

Vice-President

No Constitutional “executive” powers First in Line for Presidency Twenty-fifth Amendment Balance the Ticket Can be a “Dead End” Job Power delegated by the President

Executive Office

Office of the Vice-President Office of the First Lady Office of Management & Budget National Security Council National Security Agency Council of Economic Advisors White House Staff

Judicial Branch“…the least dangerous branch…”

One supreme Court Congressional/legislative courts Judiciary Act 1789 No qualifications for judges Appointment for life – “politically insulated” Original & Appellate Jurisdiction Impeachment & conviction

Judicial System

District Trial Courts Courts of Appeals State Court of Last Resort Control of Docket – Solicitor General Writ of Certiorari Rule of Four Oral Arguments & Opinions

Judicial Power and National Power“…basic Landmark Decisions…”

Judicial Review – Marbury v. Madison Implied Powers – McCulloch v. Maryland Commerce Power – Gibbons v. Odgen

The Court and Public Policy

The Supreme Court renders decisions Implementation of decisions depends on

– Congress – create appropriate legislation– Executive – issues executive orders– States – compliance– Public Opinion

FederalismFederalism“implied not explicit”“implied not explicit”

• Division of Power• State Powers & National Powers• “areas of responsibility”• Reserved powers vs. Implied Powers• Dual or Traditional – “layer-cake”• Cooperative – “marble-cake”

Fiscal FederalismFiscal Federalism• New Deal & Cooperative Federalism• Great Society & Creative Federalism• Conservative View – New Federalism• Devolution • State Budgets• Dollars v. Control

– Categorical grants– Block grants

A Few Simple Points

Certain theories can be applied throughout the Course. These theories along with understanding of basic concepts are extremely important…

Interconnections…whenever possible “connect” one theme with another.

Concepts & Theories

Demographics Political Socialization Socio-Economic Status Mandatory v. Discretionary Spending Platforms to Policy

Incumbency and constituency service

Policy, Agencies, and Budgeting

Demographics

Categorizing the Population Just a Few

Gender Age Race Region Religion

Cross-cutting cleavages

Political SocializationValues to Principles to Participation

Creating a “philosophical” basis Just a Few:

Family Education Peers Demographic Characteristics Age Religion Region

Socio-Economic Status (SES) “…where you fit on the table…”

Education (most important) Income Demographic characteristics

Age, gender, race, religion, region

“higher” on the table…more participation

“lower” on the table…less participation

Mandatory vs. Discretionary

Entitlements – must be paid by law to individuals meeting eligibility

More Mandatory – less Discretionary

“….who gets what…who gets cut…”

Platforms to Policy

Constituency Service Must make promises to get elected… Once elected must create policy Policy is basis of elections District Policy State Policy National Policy

Policy and Budgeting

If policy is passed….what is the cost? “…where is the funding…”? If new policy….need a new agency If a new agency… “,,,where is the funding…? No funding, no policy… Cut programs….raise taxes

Linkage Mechanisms“…where you find the politics…”

“…linking demands to the decision makers….Interest groups, political parties,

campaigns, elections, and the media…”

Interest Groups

Specific Focus Disturbance Theory Educate and Influence Support Candidates Fund Candidates – 527’s Lobby Iron Triangles Issue networks

Political Parties

Broad Focus Select and Run Candidates Create Philosophical attachment Gain control of Government Organizes Congress

Campaigns – Pulls Concepts Together – “interconnections”

Political Parties – focus of campaign Interest Groups – supports campaign Media – information source Funding – “the life blood” Elections – the “end result”

Elections

Politics is a game….”you are either on offense…or you are on defense…”

Elections tells who won the game…

The Media…

“….all you know about politics is what you see, hear, or read….”

“…who does it, when did they do it, and how does the public perceive it…?

“…socialization filters the media….”

Interesting Point about Media

Teach Media throughout the entire course President and “going public” Interest Groups and rallies, educating, agenda Political Parties “same as above” Campaigns “politics in the living room”

Unique terms Pack journalism Issue framing Creation of Agenda Horse-race journalism

Civil Liberties & Civil RightsCivil Liberties & Civil Rights

Civil Liberties, especially civil rights, Civil Liberties, especially civil rights, is a perfect way to understand policy is a perfect way to understand policy demand, creation, and demand, creation, and implementation.implementation.

Civil Liberties – Civil Liberties – The Bill of RightsThe Bill of Rights

Freedoms of …..freedoms from…Freedoms of …..freedoms from… Protection against National Protection against National

GovernmentGovernment Protection of ideas and expressionProtection of ideas and expression Protection from arbitrary police Protection from arbitrary police

actionaction

Important ConceptsImportant ConceptsFirst AmendmentFirst Amendment

Establishment ClauseEstablishment Clause Free Exercise ClauseFree Exercise Clause Clear and Present DangerClear and Present Danger Fighting WordsFighting Words Freedom of AssociationFreedom of Association Symbolic speechSymbolic speech

Important ConceptsImportant ConceptsDue Process AmendmentsDue Process Amendments

Exclusionary RuleExclusionary Rule Miranda Rights – due processMiranda Rights – due process Right to AttorneyRight to Attorney Right to WitnessesRight to Witnesses Trial by Jury – criminal & civilTrial by Jury – criminal & civil No tortureNo torture

Civil Rights –Civil Rights –“… the right to enjoy your liberties…”“… the right to enjoy your liberties…”

The Fourteenth AmendmentThe Fourteenth Amendment

“…“…no state shall make or enforce any no state shall make or enforce any law that shall abridge the privileges law that shall abridge the privileges and immunities….nor deny due and immunities….nor deny due process of law…nor deny equal process of law…nor deny equal protection of the law…”protection of the law…”

The Incorporation DoctrineThe Incorporation Doctrine

Important ConceptsImportant Concepts

Separate but equalSeparate but equal Affirmative ActionAffirmative Action De JureDe Jure De factoDe facto Race and GenderRace and Gender Suspect Classification & Strict Suspect Classification & Strict

ScrutinyScrutiny

PolicyPolicy

Teaching policy (usually the last Teaching policy (usually the last chapters) is an excellent overall chapters) is an excellent overall review of the course. Review review of the course. Review separation of powers, checks and separation of powers, checks and balances, various responsibilities of balances, various responsibilities of the branches, budget, constituency the branches, budget, constituency demands, incumbency, demands, incumbency, campaigns….basically EVERYTHINGcampaigns….basically EVERYTHING

Domestic PolicyDomestic Policy

Review Policy Process….demands, Review Policy Process….demands, linkages, decision makers, outputlinkages, decision makers, output

Review Fiscal Policy and budgetReview Fiscal Policy and budget

Review Monetary Policy and the FED Review Monetary Policy and the FED

Innerconnections Innerconnections

Review BasicsReview Basics

Redistributive – distributiveRedistributive – distributive RegulatoryRegulatory Healthcare – Medicaid, MedicareHealthcare – Medicaid, Medicare Social Programs – AFDC, TANF, Food Social Programs – AFDC, TANF, Food

StampsStamps Corporate & Middle Class ProgramsCorporate & Middle Class Programs Social SecuritySocial Security Review Mandatory and discretionary Review Mandatory and discretionary

spendingspending

Steps of the Steps of the policymaking processpolicymaking process

1. Agenda setting1. Agenda setting

2. Policy formulation2. Policy formulation

3. Policy adoption3. Policy adoption

4. Policy implementation 4. Policy implementation

5. Policy evaluation 5. Policy evaluation

Fiscal vs. monetary Fiscal vs. monetary policypolicy

Fiscal policyFiscal policy

Government regulates Government regulates the economy through the economy through its powers to tax and its powers to tax and spendspend

Politicians play a Politicians play a major rolemajor role

Budget ProcessBudget Process

““money in…money money in…money out…”out…”

Monetary policyMonetary policy Adjust interest rates Adjust interest rates

to control the money to control the money supplysupply

The Fed, not The Fed, not politicians, determine politicians, determine monetary policymonetary policy

Experts & SpecializedExperts & Specialized

More EfficientMore Efficient

Foreign PolicyForeign Policy

An Excellent Review An Excellent Review The presidentThe president

Chief executiveChief executive Head of stateHead of state Commander-in-chiefCommander-in-chief Chief diplomatChief diplomat Chief legislatorChief legislator

Who makes foreign Who makes foreign policy?, cont’d.policy?, cont’d.

Executive branch Executive branch National Security CouncilNational Security Council State DepartmentState Department Defense DepartmentDefense Department Joint Chiefs of StaffJoint Chiefs of Staff Intelligence communityIntelligence community

New director of national intelligenceNew director of national intelligence Department of Homeland SecurityDepartment of Homeland Security

Who makes foreign Who makes foreign policy?, cont’d.policy?, cont’d.

CongressCongress Ratify treaties (Senate)Ratify treaties (Senate) Confirm appointments (Senate)Confirm appointments (Senate) Declare warDeclare war Exercise spending powerExercise spending power Oversee executive branchOversee executive branch Pass legislationPass legislation

Power strugglesPower struggles Since both Congress and the president have foreign Since both Congress and the president have foreign

policy powers, the Constitution may be an invitation to policy powers, the Constitution may be an invitation to strugglestruggle

Discuss the social-economic agenda and subsequent Discuss the social-economic agenda and subsequent gconflicts between conservatives and liberals….attach gconflicts between conservatives and liberals….attach those discussions to political parties and the branches of those discussions to political parties and the branches of government government

Point out conflicts, even discuss 2006 mid-term elections Point out conflicts, even discuss 2006 mid-term elections has a referendum on the actions of the presidenthas a referendum on the actions of the president

Campaigns…interest groups….political parties….mediaCampaigns…interest groups….political parties….media

Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts

“…“…by no means is this an exhaustive by no means is this an exhaustive study guide, this is a starting point…study guide, this is a starting point…a Basic Review…add vocabulary a Basic Review…add vocabulary words, other concepts, current event words, other concepts, current event material and be creative….”material and be creative….”

Can you think of anything I left Can you think of anything I left out…???!!!???out…???!!!???

FRQ ActivityFRQ Activity

Using the “Acorn Review Outline”Using the “Acorn Review Outline”

Go through the past FRQ’s and place in Go through the past FRQ’s and place in the correct “curriculum requirement”the correct “curriculum requirement”

(2006 #1) format(2006 #1) format

Draw Conclusions and discussionsDraw Conclusions and discussions