AP United States Government (Wolf)
Terms and topics for 1st Semester AP Government exam: The following list of terms and topics will
provide a focus for your studying. Be sure you broaden your study beyond these important highlighted
items.
THE CONSITUTION AND DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES
Federalism and Dual Federalism
Identify the Elite, Pluaralist (Hyperpluralist), Marxist, and Democratic Theories of Who Governs
FEDERALISM
Differences between British Parliament and US Congress (structure and representation)
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
McCullough v. Maryland
The Elastic Clause (Article I, Section8)
Checks and Balances
Separation of Powers
Devolution
Revenue Sharing Grants(Block Grants), Categorical Grants
Federal Mandates / Unfunded Mandates / Conditions of Aid
ELECTIONS/VOTING/POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
Coattail effect
Clothespin Vote
Retrospective vs. Prospective Voting
Federal matching Funds in Presidential Elections
Electoral College
Winner Takes All system
plurality vote
VAP versus VEP statistics of voting
Straight ticket voting
Office ballot / Australian Ballot / non-partisan races
1974 Campaign Finance Reform
527 Groups
direct mailings for campaigns
Incumbents
Franking Privilege
Sophomore Surge
Gerrymandering / Malapportionment
Shaw vs. Reno (1993)
POLITICAL PARTIES
Closed Primaries and Open Primaries
Realignment periods
Trends in Party Identification
Role of Third Parties and successes/failures
INTEREST GROUPS
Institutional Interests/ Membership Interests
Upper class bias?
The Revolving Door
Regulation of Interest Groups
solidary, material and purposive incentives
MEDIA:
Equal time rule
Right of reply
Libel and Slander
Freedom of Information Act
Selective Attention
New York Times v. United States
The Watchdog, Gatekeeper and Scorekeeper
Effect of media on elections
Early partisan Press
POLICY
MICE POLITICS WITH EXAMPLES for each policy area (Environmental, Social Welfare,
Military/Foreign, Economic)
Economic policy theories (Keynesianism, Supply Side, Reaganomics, Monetarism, Economic
Planning)
Democratic vs. Republican Economic ideologies
Responsibilities of the FED
Fiscal vs. Monetary Policy
Social Welfare Programs – Entitlements
Environmental Impact Statements
Differences between Congressional and Presidential Military powers (Formal/Informal)
The “Imperial Presidency”
The definition and effect of the War Powers Act
Containment, Big-Stick Diplomacy, Disengagement, Appeasement, Humanitarianism phases