Unit IV: Institutions of National Government

2017-18AP Government

Here is a fairly complete study guide for what we have covered in UNIT IV so far! In addition to completing/reviewing this, make sure you brush up on Unit I, Unit II, and Unit IIIas well.

NAME:PERIOD:DUEDATE:March 26, 2018

CONGRESS (chapter 11)

Questions / Response
What were the original intentions and conflict within Congress?
Explain some recent developments within Congress?
Compare/contrast the following Federalist papers: Federalist 10, Federalist 51, Federalist 62/63, Federalist 53/56/57/58
Provide a basic overview of Congress: terms, sessions, house vs. Senate, compensation
Discuss the scope and advantages for congressional incumbents
Define and discuss gerrymandering. Make sure you include a few court cases (there are 4 of them) in your discussion
Define earmarks and pork-barrel. Discuss some differences between earmarks and pork-barrel
Explain, step by step how a bill becomes and law – both chambers of Congress.
Define the basic structure and powers of Congress. Expressed, Implied, Institutional, Powers denied to Congress. Know locations
What are the main leadership roles in both chambers of Congress and some of their responsibilities?
What are some of the influences that Congress has to deal with when it comes to legislating? There are a lot-do not forget any…think iron triangle or junkets
Walk us through the committee system. Who controls the committees? Reform? Major committees we should know?
What case can be made that Congress complicates government?

President/Executive(chapter 12-13)

Questions / Response
Provide some background and discuss the evolution of the position of President.-be specific. Take us on a time warp!!
What are the qualifications, terms of office (amendment), compensation, and succession process (amendment) for the office of President?
What are some of the perks to being President?
What are some non-constitutional sources of Presidential power that have evolved over the last few centuries?
What are the main non-constitutional roles of the President?
Discuss the constitutional roles of the President. Include the powers/checks with each role.
What are the two main White House Office organization approaches? Explain some advantages/disadvantages for each.
Federalist #70 Main points
What “new” checks are placed on the President when it comes to legislating?
Define and explain the main sources of conflict between the President and Congress.
Make an argument for the Imperial President.
What are some measures Congress can take to reign in the Imperial President?

BUREAUCRACY (chapter 14)

Questions / Response
Give a definition of bureaucracy.
Independent regulatory commissions: What are they? Why do they exist? Do they have any judicial power? Provide a few examples.
What are the 5 bureaucratic pathologies? Briefly define each. Give an example of each. / 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
How did we get the civil service system-provide a brief history.
Explain the power of the bureaucracy.
What are some reasons for the growth of the bureaucracy? / 1.
2.
3.
4.
What happens when you have the Good ol’ Boys (glass ceiling) network within the bureaucracy? Be specific.
What are the personal attributes of lower/middle level bureaucrats? Of upper level bureaucrats?
Provide 2 legal constraints on the bureaucracy.
Provide two organizational constraints on the bureaucracy.
What is the FOIA? What do you have access to? What are some things you do not have access to?
What is the general public opinion towards the bureaucracy?
What are some of the main criticisms of the bureaucracy?
Please come to the defense of the bureaucracy.

Judicial Branch (Chapter 15)

Questions / Response
Thesis for the Federalist 78…
Main points for the Federalist 78
What are the four types of laws in America? Provide an example for each type.
What are the four types of jurisdiction?
When may federal courts try a case…
Provide the basic structure of our federal courts- Article I and Article III courts
Know the following roles: Attorney General, Solicitor General, US Attorneys, Federal Judges. Who, what, when, where, and why???
What are the key powers of the Supreme Court?
Two types of jurisdiction that the Supreme Court has? More cases come from which jurisdiction?
Explain the difference(s) between the rule of four and a quorum of six.
The four types of written opinions and why do justices write opinions?
How can people/government evade Court decisions?
Everything you know about Judicial Activism: definition, examples!
Everything you know about Judicial Restraint: definition, examples!
Provide a list of restraints on Judicial Power: