AP Government
Schultz
Government Policymaking Activity
Chapters 18-21
In small groups, you will complete research from the text, organize main points, include and
analyze visuals, graphs and other forms of data. Essentially, you are going to complete a chapter
summary presentation and present your information to class through PowerPoint. Be detailed,
and be sure you include the information listed below for the chapter you are assigned. You also
must connect your policy with a current, modern action or event.
Chapter 18 – Economic Policy: When voting for political officials based on economic
indicators, voters are interested in answers to only three key policy questions. Is the economy
healthy? How much did the government spend? What do I have to pay in taxes? The division
between fiscal policy and monetary policy is one that is meant to secure the economies welfare,
but the division is often misleading and confusing to the average citizen.
Essential Questions: What is economic theory? How do different presidents address
economic concerns? What are the differences between the federal debt and federal
deficit? What type of tax system does the US currently have? What are the differences
between fiscal policy and monetary policy? What major groups actually create economic
policy? How is the economy measured?
Chapter 19 – Social Welfare Policy: Just as issues in society changes, so too does interest in
issues. At the heart of all social welfare policy lies three questions, who will the program
benefit, who will pay and does society believe in the cause. While some issues are strongly
supported, others have lost support throughout the years. Americans deem one group worthy of
support at one point in history and undeserving at another.
Essential Questions: How are social security and the Medicare/Medicaid programs
social welfare policy? How do welfare programs operate? What groups have oversight
of welfare programs? How has the War on Terror affected social programs? How does
Congress and the US President impact social welfare policy? How does the US compare
with other nations regarding social welfare policy?
Chapter 20 – Foreign and Military Policy: Foreign and Military Policy is often more
controversial than any other policy made in Washington, DC. The president meets with the Joint
Chiefs of Staff to discuss and set policy. However, it is elites who shape foreign and military
policy. They fall into one of four worldviews, isolationism, containment, disengagement and
human rights. Yet, it is the majority who carry out the action set forth by policy, whether they
agree or not.
Essential Questions: What groups are involved in foreign policymaking? Should elites
be the decision makers for foreign and military policy? Should the US take military
action on behalf of human rights violations? How much military spending is enough?
Should the US develop its own fuels? Should the US partner with governments that do
not protect their own citizens?
Chapter 21 – Environmental Policy: In recent years, environmental policy has gained
momentum. Much of the policy that has been enacted has been driven by entrepreneurial politics
and the costs seem to be minimal. However, many wonder who is truly benefiting and what is
the cost?
Essential Questions: What groups oversee environmental policy? When do Americans
seem to care about the environment? How should the United States dispose of nuclear
waste? How much environmental protections are too much? What is the proper balance
between government involvement in the environment and business profit? Is it the job of
the US to protect shared resources (oceans, etc.)?
TASK:
Use the summary and essential questions, your textbook, online resources, and handouts from
class to summarize the major trends and shifts in your policy subject. You should include
visuals, graphs, maps, quotations and data in your presentation. You should also include at least
one modern, current event that relates to your policy – and describe the significance of that event
and propose solutions on how to solve it. Be prepared for questions following your presentation.