AP Gov Final Essay Questions Flashcards
Explain how the American news media works.
- influence - information gatekeepers
- revenue - advertising
- bias
70% liberal (print, tv, social media)
30% conservative (radio, internet)
Outline & Explain the four areas over which the president exercises “authority. be sure to discuss the 3 political end-run techniques by which the president enforces the law.
- convene congress
- call congress to session, State of the Union speech - receive foreign dignitaries
-president in in charge of foreign policy so meeting with high ranking officials from other countries - commission US officers
-gathering a special force (military, CIA, etc.) to complete a specific task or investigation - enforce the law
-executive orders: instruction to executive agencies
-executive privilege:refusing info to congress
-signing statement: selectively enforcing a law
Outline & explain the 3 key features of the federal bureaucracy.
- hierarchical authority - chain of command within the bureaucracy, those at the top have the most authority
- job specialization - division of labor as different workers specialize in different tasks over time
- formalized rules - standardized procedures and established regulations by which a bureaucracy conducts its operations
Using the 5 SCOTUS cases discussed on “judicial review”
- Marbury v Madison (est. judicial review)
- Dred Scott v Sanford (slavery)
-slaves weren’t citizens so they couldn’t be protected by the constitution - Brown v Board of Education (segregation)
- Roe v Wade (abortion)
-initial ruling overturned so abortion is illegal federally, but up state governments get to decide if legal or not for their state
-judicial branch can’t enforce the ruling - Obergefell v Hodges (same-sex marriage)
Explain why the judiciary is the “least dangerous branch” of US government.
*the judicial branch has no militia or power to enforce their rulings making them least dangerous because they can’t really threaten you
Outline & explain the 3 key features of historical evolution
historical evolution
1. early bureaucracy: career specialists (1789-1829)
2. spoils system: jobs for political allies (1829-83)
3. merit system: the pendleton act (1883-present
Outline & explain the key SCOTUS limitations on free speech.
- libel - untrue statement written “with malice” and “reckless disregard for truth”
- obscenity - judged by “community standards”
-appeal to excessive sexual interest
-depicts sexual conduct in a clearly offensive way
-lacks serious literacy, artistic, political/scientific value - fighting words
-incite a “clear and present danger” including “immediate acts of violence”
-incite a “violent overthrow of the government”
-incite any illegal action
Outline & explain both sides of the debate regarding the “awkward” wording of the second amendment.
Yes Gun Control:
-2nd amendment was written there was no national military or police force for protection
-why not change 2nd amendment, constitution has changed 27 times over the years
-1 in 5 gun owners have been diagnosed w mental disorder
-gun related deaths are 3 leading cause for american children/teens
No Gun Control:
-gun control laws do not deter crime
-used for hunting which provides food and jobs
-gun control laws infringe upon the rights to self defense and deny people a sense of safety
-criminals will still get guns, they wouldn’t be criminals if they had regard for the law
-imposing limitations only gives criminals an advantage
-gives power to the government, could result in tyranny
6 keys to effective political discussions
- don’t pressure your opponents to change their core beliefs
- assumes your opponents’ motives are sincere and virtuous
- represent your opponents ideas & attitudes accurately
- acknowledge the complexities of controversial issues
- remain kind, friendly, respectful, and patient
- insist on a culture of civility within your own community
