AP U.S. Government and Politics

Foundations of American Democracy

Interactions Among Branches of Government

Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

American Political Ideologies and Beliefs

Political Participation

 The U.S. Constitution arose out of important historical and philosophical ideas and preferences regarding popular sovereignty and limited government. Compromises were made during the Constitutional Convention and ratification debates, and these compromises have frequently been the source of conflict in U.S. politics over the proper balance between individual freedom, social order, and equality of opportunity.

Because power is widely distributed and checks prevent one branch from usurping powers from others, institutional actors are in the position where they must both compete and cooperate in order to govern.

Through the U.S. Constitution, but primarily through the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment, citizens and groups have attempted to restrict national and state governments from unduly infringing upon individual rights essential to ordered liberty and from denying equal protection under the law.

American political beliefs are shaped by founding ideals, core values, linkage institutions (e.g. elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media in all its forms), and the changing demographics of its citizens. These beliefs about government, politics, and the individual's role in the political system influence the creation of public policies.

Governing is achieved directly through citizen participation and indirectly through institutions (e.g. political parties, interest groups, and mass media) that inform, organize, and mobilize support to influence government and politics, resulting in many venues for citizen influence on policy making.

A balance between governmental power and individual rights has been a hallmark of American political development.

The Constitution emerged from the debate about the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation as a blueprint for limited government.

The Constitution created a competitive policy-making process to ensure the people's will is represented and that freedom is preserved.

Federalism reflects the dynamic distribution of power between national and state governments.

The republican ideal in the U.S. is manifested in the structure and operation of the legislative branch.

The presidency has been enhanced beyond its expressed constitutional powers.

The design of the judicial branch protects the Supreme Court's independence as a branch of government, and the emergence and use of judicial review remains a powerful judicial practice.

The federal bureaucracy is a powerful institution implementing federal policies with sometimes questionable accountability.

Provisions of the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights are continually being interpreted to balance the power of government and the civil liberties of individuals.

Protections of the Bill of Rights have been selectively incorporated by way of the Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause to prevent state infringement of basic liberties.

The Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection clause as well as other constitutional provisions have often been used to support the advancement of equality.

Public policy promoting civil rights is influenced by citizen-state interactions and constitutional interpretation over time.

The Supreme Court's interpretation of the U.S. Constitution is influenced by the composition of the Court and citizen-state interactions. At times, it has restricted minority rights and, at others, protected them.

Citizen beliefs about government are shaped by the intersection of demographics, political culture, and dynamic social change.

Public opinion is measured through scientific polling, and the results of public opinion polls influence public policies and institutions.

Widely held political ideologies shape public policy debates and choices in American policies.

Factors associated with political ideology, efficacy, structural barriers, and demographics influence the nature and degree of political participation.

Political parties, interest groups, and social movements provide opportunities for participation and influence how people relate to government and policy-makers.

The impact of federal policies on campaigning and electoral rules continues to be contested by both sides of the political spectrum.

The various forms of media provide citizens with political information and influence the ways in which they participate politically.

Explain how democratic ideals are reflected in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

Explain how models of representative democracy are visible in major institutions, policies, events, or debates in the U.S.

Explain how Federalist and Anti-Federalist views on central government and democracy are reflected in U.S. foundational documents.

Explain the relationship between key provisions of the Articles of Confederation and the debate over granting the federal government greater power formerly reserved to the states.

Explain the ongoing impact of political negotiation and compromise at the Constitutional Convention on the development of the constitutional system.

Explain the constitutional principles of separation of powers and checks and balances.

Explain the implications of separation of powers and checks and balances for the U.S. political system.

Explain how societal needs affect the constitutional allocation of power between the national and state governments.

Explain how the appropriate balance of power between national and state governments has been interpreted differently over time.

Explain how the distribution of powers among three federal branches and between national and state governments impacts policy making.

Describe the different structures, powers, and functions of each house of Congress.

Explain how the structure, powers, and functions of both houses of Congress affect the policy-making process.

Explain how congressional behavior is influenced by election processes, partisanship, and divided government.

Explain how the president can implement a political agenda.

Explain how the president's agenda can create tension and frequent confrontations with Congress.

Explain how presidents have interpreted and justified their use of formal and informal powers.

Explain how communication technology has changed the president's relationship with the national constituency and the other branches.

Explain the principle of judicial review and how it checks the power of other institutions and state governments.

Explain how the exercise of judicial review in conjunction with life tenure can lead to debate about the legitimacy of the Supreme Court's power.

Explain how other branches of government can limit the Supreme Court's power.

Explain how the bureaucracy carries out the responsibilities of the federal government.

Explain how the federal bureaucracy uses delegated discretionary authority for rule making and implementation.

Explain how Congress uses its oversight power in its relationship with the executive branch.

Explain how the president ensures that executive branch agencies and departments carry out their responsibilities in concert with the goals of the administration.

Explain the extent to which governmental branches can hold the bureaucracy accountable given the competing interests of Congress, the president, and the federal courts.

Explain how the U.S. Constitution protects individual liberties and rights.

Describe the rights protected in the Bill of Rights.

Explain the extent to which the Supreme Court's interpretation of the First and Second Amendments reflects a commitment to individual liberty.

Explain how the Supreme Court has attempted to balance claims of individual freedom with laws and enforcement procedures that promote public order and safety.

Explain the implications of the doctrine of selective incorporation.

Explain the extent to which states are limited by the due process clause from infringing upon individual rights.

Explain how constitutional provisions have supported and motivated social movements.

Explain how the government has responded to social movements.

Explain how the Supreme Court has at times allowed the restriction of the civil rights of minority groups and at other times has protected those rights.

Explain the relationship between core beliefs of U.S. citizens and attitudes bout the role of government.

Explain how cultural factors influence political attitudes and socialization.

Describe the elements of a scientific poll.

Explain the quality and credibility of claims based on public opinion data.

Explain how the ideologies of the two major parties shape policy debates.

Explain how U.S. political culture (e.g. values, attitudes, and beliefs) influences the formation, goals, and implementation of public policy over time.

Describe different political ideologies regarding the role of government in regulating the marketplace.

Explain how political ideologies vary on the government's role in regulating the marketplace.

Explain how political ideologies vary on the role of government in addressing social issues.

Explain how different ideologies impact policy on social issues.

Describe the voting rights protections in the Constitution and in legislation.

Describe different models of voting behavior.

Explain the roles that individual choice and state laws play in voter turnout in elections.

Describe linkage institutions.

Explain the function and impact of political parties on the electorate and government.

Explain why and how political parties change and adapt.

Explain how structural barriers impact third-party and independent candidate success.

Explain the benefits and potential problems of interest-group influence on elections and policy making.

Explain how variation in types and resources of interest groups affects their ability to influence elections and policy making.

Explain how various political actors influence public policy outcomes.

Explain how the different processes work in a U.S. presidential election.

Explain how the Electoral College impacts democratic participation.

Explain how the different processes work in U.S. congressional elections.

Explain how campaign organizations and strategies affect the election process.

Explain how the organization, finance, and strategies of national political campaigns affect the election process.

Explain the media's role as a linkage institution.

Explain how increasingly diverse choices of media and communication outlets influence political institutions and behavior.