AP GOVERNMENT
Midterm Review ‘12
In preparing for your midterm, you should first look back at the objectives for each
chapter. Being able to fulfill each of those objectives, would be a good first step in
determining what you already know. Secondly, you should make sure you understand
the concepts listed below.
Chapters covered: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14
Chapter 1: Introduction:
American ideals
Political ideology—economic and social dimension (classifications: economic liberals v.
economic conservatives; social liberals v. social conservatives)
Background to Am
The purpose of government, principles of democracy, theories of democracy
(pluralism, elite theory, hyperpluralism), challenges to modern democracy,
Chapter 2 & 3—the American Revolution & The Constitution:
Basic ideas of the Declaration of Independence
Causes of the Revolution
Enlightenment ideas that influence the Founding Fathers
How the Revolution was a ‘conservative revolution’
Flaws with the Articles of Confederation that influenced the writing of the Constitution
Factors that illustrated the flaws of the government under the Articles
Issues that were debated during the writing of the Constitution and how resolved:
Madison’s model of government:
Principles of the Constitution: limited government,
separation of powers, federalism, republicanism
The debate over ratification: Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
Role of the Bill of Rights
Process for formally and informally changing the Constitution
Marbury v. Madison and Judicial Review
Chapter 4—Federalism & The Constitution
Structure of the government: 3 Branches—nature of them, why created that way
republican form of government—why?
Federal vs. unitary governments vs. confederate system
The importance of federalism in the establishment of the new government
How federalism is demonstrated in the Constitution (powers of federal gov. vs. states)
Concurrent powers vs. exclusive powers
The supremacy clause
Impact of federalism—access to government, competition among states, local level
flexibility
Early Supreme Court cases establishing the supremacy of the federal government
McCulloch v Maryland; Gibbons v. Ogden
After initial establishment of national power, how did the Court interpret the federal
government’s role in issues (consider economic issues, issues of slavery and states’
rights)
The impact of historic events on federalism: Civil War, New Deal, Civil Rights, 9/11
Devolution
The relationship between the states (‘full faith and credit’, etc.)
Dual v. Cooperative Federalism (and examples that illustrate the shift)
Fiscal Federalism (the grant system, mandates)—how impacts state-federal relationship
Categorical v. block grants
Mandates (unfunded mandates)
Recent Cases that illustrate shifting views:
U.S. v. Lopez
U.S. v. Morrison
U.S. v. Printz
Recent issues involving federalism (‘right to die’, ‘medical marijuana’, gay marriage, gun
rights, abortion)
Legislation & federalism—Unfunded Mandate Reform Act; Welfare Reform Act, No
Child Left Behind
Chapter 7--Congress:
Conflict between national lawmaking and representation role
Qualifications
Informal qualifications (common traits of members of Congress)
Bicameral: qualities of each chamber; powers of each (why bicameral)
Number of members; how determined; how elected
How Congress is decentralized and fragmented (and the impact of this)
Elections
Advantage of incumbency
Casework
Privileges of incumbency (like franking)
Census and reapportionment
Gerrymandering; redistricting; rules regarding redistricting
Mid-term elections
coattail
Organization
Committee system; kinds of committees
Important Committees: Rules Committee, Ways and Means, Budget, Judiciary
Leadership roles (Speaker, Majority leader, etc)
Caucuses
Role of the parties (also, polarization)
Lawmaking Function
Setting the agenda
Logrolling
Pork barrel
How a Bill becomes a law (conventional and unconventional methods)
Difference in rules between the 2 chambers
Filibuster, cloture, nuclear option
Impact of fragmentation
Sunset law
Riders
Omnibus legislation
Impact of divided government
Oversight Function (why it’s difficult)
Representation Function (and tension between it and other roles)
Powers of Congress (Constitutional powers and how powers have evolved)
Chapter 8—The Presidency
Qualifications
Constitutional powers of President
How President’s role has changed
Formal vs. Informal Powers of President
Presidential veto
Roles president plays (chief legislator, chief of state, etc.)—know examples
Honeymoon period
Effect of divided government
Effect of public opinion on legislative success
Use of ‘bully pulpit’
Use of State of the Union
Chapter 11: Public Opinion
Explain the role of public opinion polls in a democracy.
Describe the level of political knowledge, tolerance, and participation in the U.S.
Explain the process of political socialization and the institutions that shape our views.
Describe the factors that influence public opinion.
Explain polling methods and Analyze public opinion polls.
Distinguish between types of polls.
Assess the accuracy of polls and their role in politics.
Chapter 12: Political Parties
Discuss factors that contribute to political gridlock.
Explain the roles of political parties in a democracy
Assess the degree to which our major parties fulfill the responsible party model
Describe the organization of American political parties and the functions of the 2 major
parties.
Distinguish between the major parties’ platforms and assess the relationship between the
parties.
Explain the concept of critical elections and debate whether recent elections fit the
definition.
Assess the role of minor parties in America.
Chapter 14—Voting, Campaigns, Elections
Framers’ views about democracy—republic vs. ‘pure democracy’
Types of elections—primary vs. general; presidential vs. mid-term; initiatives and referanda
Function of elections & the degree to which our elections fulfill those functions
Political Socialization—factors that shape what we believe about politics & government
Statistics about who votes in America
Explanations for non-voting—impact of legal obstacles, shifts in partisanship, mobilization
efforts, social connectedness, generational changes, rational non-voting
Explain current issues with voter registration & why important
Consequences of non-voting
Factors that affect voters’ decisions—ideology, race, gender, ethnicity, role of the candidates, etc.
(link demographic characteristics to voting)
The role of the issues in voting: prospective voting vs. retrospective voting, why it’s difficult for
issues to determine voters’ decision,
Presidential Elections:
The nomination process: caucuses, primaries, convention (‘road to the White House—
factors that affect success; the 3 Ms)
Increased use of primaries and impact (types of primaries; open vs. closed; proportional
vs. ‘winner-take-all’, who votes in primaries)
How caucuses are different than primaries
The role of super-delegates and frontloading
Presidential elections—role of media, candidate centered campaign, ‘horse race’, role of
polls, role of the party
Flaws with the primary and caucus system
Party platforms (how adopted, what’s their role)
How the Electoral College works—role of swing voters, swing states,etc.
How campaigns are run—role of professional staff & volunteers, shaping the candidate’s
image, role of the issues (position issues v. valence issues), role of the media (soft news,
role of the Internet, role of advertising, role of debates historically)—current examples
Campaign Finance Reform: FECA 1974; McCain-Feingold
The impact of reform
Arguments for and against
PACs
Soft money
527s
Relevant Cases: Buckley v. Valeo; Citizens United v. FEC
Current Rules (Super PACs)
The Electoral College—reason for it, how it works, impact
on campaigns, suggestions for reforms, why difficult to
reform