Introduction to AP U.S. Government and Politics

1. Introduction to AP U.S. Government and Politics Mr. Burkowski Jr. (JB) Academy for Advanced Academics

2. Know and Understand the Basic Functional Concepts of American Politics • The Electorate – The Voter • Self-Interests • Beliefs/Philosophies • Interest Groups • Issues • Lobbying • The Government Institutions • Legislation • Executive • Bureaucratic Agencies • Judicial • The Linkage Institutions • Political Parties • Media • Elections and Campaigns

3. Again, Think Politically • “I know exactly how a bill becomes a law in the federal government.” • OK, do you know why a legislator would delay or prevent a bill from becoming a law? Do you know how the legislator would do this? • Do you know why and how a bill can become law faster than usual? • It is more than knowing the rules, but how to play the game.

4. Power and Types of Government • Power is the ability to coerce someone to do what you want • Autocracy • Oligarchy • Theocracy • Totalitarianism • Democracy

5. Autocracy • Unlimited power is vested in one person • Absolute Monarchy • Hereditary position • Ex. Louis XIV, Saudi Arabia • Dictatorship • Assume power through force or persuasion • Ex. Kim Jong-il of North Korea

6. Oligarchy • Power is vested in the hands of a few, usually elites • In most cases, power passed down through heredity and/or elitist characteristic to preserve influence and power • Plutocracy or Aristocracy is rule by the wealthy • Examples: • Sparta • Apartheid South Africa

7. Theocracy • Power is assumed by religious leaders who establish laws and limits based on religious decree • Examples: • Massachusetts Bay Colony • Islamist Republic of Iran • The Ayatollah • Holy See/Vatican City • The Pope

8. Totalitarianism • Government assumes all power and controls all aspects of society • The state may fall under the control of a single dictator, political party, or group of elites • Examples: • Benito Mussolini’s Fascist Italy

9. Democracy • Rule by many, rule of the people • Citizens participate in the political process and determine public policy • Direct Democracy • All citizens determine public policy • Representative Democracy • Citizens elect representatives to determine public policy • Republic • People reserve the ultimate authority • Government leaders answer to electorate • Government limited by constitution and/or popular sovereignty

10. Type of Governments for U.S. Government • Parliamentary System • Legislative supremacy which delegates powers to executives • Ex. United Kingdom • Unitary government • Power solely reserved in central government • Central government delegates power • Ex. United Kingdom • Confederation • Loose alliance of sovereign states • States reserve sovereignty and work together for common causes toward foreign states • Central government significantly limited and changes to government require unanimous consent • Ex. U.S.A. under Articles of Confederation • Federation/Federal Republic • Strong central government manages national policies • Division of powers between national and state/local governments • Federal government holds supreme power • Ex. U.S.A. under U.S. Constitution

13. Democratic Theories • Traditional • Consent of the governed • Pluralist • Interest groups • Elite/Elitist • Upper class leaders • Bureaucratic • Bureaucrats/government officials • Hyperpluralism • Numerous interest groups