MEENAN PRESENTS ONE PAGERS (THE SHORTEST STUDY GUIDE KNOWN TO MAN) UNIT 1: CONSTITUTIONAL UNDERPINNINGS (5-15%) UNIT 2: CIVIL LIBERTIES & CIVIL RIGHTS (5-15%) UNIT 3: POLITICAL BELIEFS & BEHAVIORS (10-20%) UNIT 4: LINKAGE INSTITUTIONS (10-20%) UNIT 5: GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS (35-45%) UNIT 6: PUBLIC POLICY (5-15%)
AP AMERICAN GOVERNMENT UNIT 1: CONSTITUTIONAL UNDERPINNINGS ONE PAGER CONSTITUTION ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION VERSUS THE CONSTITUTION CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION (WEAK GOVERNMENT) - Confederacy : Power lies within the States (firm league of friendship) -9/13 states had to agree to pass a law and all 13 to amend the articles. -National government could not tax (only asked states for money) -Government could not put down rebellions (Shays) -No executive or judicial branches GOVERNMENT UNDER THE CONSTITUTION - Federal Government : Power is shared between National and State governments. -Stronger national government than under the articles. THE GREAT COMPROMISE -Bicameral legislature : 2 house congress -House of Representatives: States representation would be based on population. (directly elected) -Senate: State representation would be equal. (chosen by state legislatures until 17th amend) THE THREE FIFTHS COMPROMISE 5 slaves counted as 3 people in counting for congressional representation ARTICLES IN THE CONSTITUTION PREAMBLE: Purpose of Government ARTICLE I: Legislative powers ARTICLE II: Executive powers ARTICLE III: Judicial powers ARTICLE IV: Relations among States ARTICLE V: Amendment Process ARTICLE VI: National Supremacy (also all debts from previous gov will be paid) ARTICLE VII: Ratification Process BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION RATIFYING THE CONSTITUTION AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION -Separation of Powers: Power is divided into different branches: Legislative branch makes laws. Executive Branch enforces laws. Judicial Branch interprets laws. - Federalism : Power is divided between National and State governments. - Popular Sovereignty: Power comes from people. (constitutional convention) - Limited Government: The government is not all powerful (need warrant). - Judicial Review: Supreme Court decides if government action is constitutional. -Checks and Balances : Each branch of government checks the power of the other two branches. (example: The senate confirms presidential appointments) -9 States had to agree to the Constitution at State Ratifying Conventions FACTIONS - Federalists : supported the new constitution due to the need for a strong central government. - Antifederalists : opposed the new constitution because the national government would be strong and people s liberty was at stake. PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT Two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress. (or ⅔ vote national convention) RATIFYING AN AMENDMENT Three-fourths vote of state legislatures. (or ¾ vote of special state conventions) BILL OF RIGHTS First 10 amendments added as promised to gain ratification support from the anti-federalists. FEDERALISM FEDERALISM IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS DIRECT DEMOCRACY (STATE LEVEL) ENUMERATED POWERS -Belong to National government -Ex: coin money, declare war, regulate interstate commerce CONCURRENT POWERS -Belong to both National government & State governments. -Ex: levy and collect taxes, establish courts, define crimes RESERVED POWERS -Belong to State governments -Ex: establish local government, establish public schools SUPREMACY CLAUSE -Article VI in Constitution says when national laws and state laws conflict the nation is supreme. STATE S RESERVED POWERS -10th Amendment says powers not give to national government are reserved for the States. THIS HAS LEAD TO POWER STRUGGLE -A consequence of federalism is national and state governments both seeking the power. INITIATIVES -Start when people sign a petition to have the measure go to the ballot for residents to determine if it will become law. REFERENDUMS -Start in state legislatures and then goes to the ballot for residents to determine if it will become law. RECALL -Voters can petition for a special election to remove an office holder before their term ends. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) GRANT-IN-AID PROGRAMS RELATIONS AMONG THE STATES CASE ISSUE -Maryland attempts to tax the federal bank in their state. -They also question constitutionality of national banks existing. CASE RULING -No state can tax the national government. The bank is constitutional because the Necessary and Proper clause says that Congress has implied powers in order to carry out their expressed powers. (Thus giving Congress more power than some thought it should have) CATEGORICAL GRANT -Grants for specific purposes (strings attached) -States do not prefer these because they have less control over their budget. BLOCK GRANT -Grants for broad purpose (less strings) -State prefer these because they have more control over their budget MANDATE (no money given to State) -National gov make States do something ARTICLE IV - Full Faith & Credit Clause: Judicial decrees and contracts made in one state are binding in another. - Privileges & Immunities Clause: Citizens of each state are given same rights as citizens in all other states. - Extradition Clause: States must extradite or return criminals. ARTICLE I (Section 10 Clause 3) - Interstate Compacts: contracts between States that carry the force of law (drivers license compact)
UNIT 2: CIVIL LIBERTIES & CIVIL RIGHTS ONE PAGER CIVIL LIBERTIES DUE PROCESS & SELECTIVE INCORPORATION FIRST & SECOND AMENDMENT PROTECTED & UNPROTECTED SPEECH 5TH AMENDMENT Protects individual liberty from the National government 14TH AMENDMENT Protects individual liberty from the State governments PROCEDURAL DUE PROCESS The methods of government must be fair and just. SUBSTANTIVE DUE PROCESS The policies of the government must be fair and just. SELECTIVE INCORPORATION The Supreme Court applies a portion of the bill of rights to State governments. It is justified by the 14th Amendment's Due Process Clause. FIVE FREEDOMS OF 1ST AMENDMENT Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly & Petition FREEDOM OF RELIGION Establishment clause: Prohibits the creation of a government established religion. Free exercise clause: Citizens have the right to practice their religion. (within the law) SECOND AMENDMENT A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed Supreme Court has allowed some gun control but not all. PROTECTED SPEECH & PUBLICATION Prior Restraint: Government prohibits speech before it is expressed (only in cases of national security) Symbolic Speech: wearing armband or burning a flag. Hate Speech: KKK can legally meet to discuss but cannot talk about committing crimes. UNPROTECTED SPEECH & PUBLICATION Libel: written lies Slader: spoken lies Fighting words: cannot incite a breach of peace Commercial speech: false advertising is not protected Obscenity: applied by local standards Clear and present danger: Can t yell fire people get trampled to death RIGHTS OF CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS RIGHT TO PRIVACY FOUND IN ARTICLE I OF THE CONSTITUTION Writ of Habeas Corpus: Court orders a judge requires authorities to prove a prisoner is being held lawfully and the government has a case against them. Ex Post Facto Law: Laws that apply to actions committed before the laws were passed. Bill of Attainder: Legislative acts that inflict punishment on individuals without judicial action. AMENDMENTS 4th Amendment: Government cannot search your house without a warrant. ( Exclusionary rule: evidence obtained illegally cannot be used in court) 5th Amendment: Self incrimination & double jeopardy (being tried twice for same crime) 6th Amendment: Right to counsel & jury trial 8th Amendment: Protection from cruel and unusual punishment Not directly stated in the Constitution. It is believed that there is some things the government should not be involved in. Although these topics are or have been controversial privacy has been used to justify: birth control, abortion, homosexuality, and the right to die. CIVIL RIGHTS SLAVERY TO CITIZENSHIP DISENFRANCHISEMENT/ SEGREGATION THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) Slaves are property (can t sue in court) and property cannot be restricted in U.S. (nullify missouri compromise). One factor that leads to the Civil War RECONSTRUCTION AMENDMENTS 13th Amendment : It abolished slavery. 14th Amendment: Guaranteed citizenship to all people born in the United States. Equal Protection Clause: been used to extend civil rights. 15th Amendment : The right to vote cannot be denied to race, color, or condition of previous servitude. JIM CROW LAWS Segregation by state or local law. DISENFRANCHISING AFRICAN AMERICANS Poll taxes (pay to vote) Property qualifications (must own land to vote) Literacy tests (must be able to read to vote) Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) The Supreme Court ruled that separate but equal did not violate the constitution. Brown v. Board of Education (1954) The Supreme Court ruled that the separate but equal doctrine is unconstitutional. EISENHOWER SENDS TROOPS (1957) to Little Rock to enforce school desegregation. 24TH AMENDMENT (1962) Eliminated poll taxes CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 Banned discrimination in public accommodations. WOMEN S SUFFRAGE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES AFFIRMATIVE ACTION NAWSA (1890) Focused on fighting for suffrage (right to vote) 19TH AMENDMENT (1920) Guaranteed women the right vote. TITLE IX Bars education institutions from receiving federal funds if they discriminate against female students. ADA (AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT ) Extends protections from Civil Rights Act of 1964 to people with disabilities. It guarantees access to public facilities, employment, communication services. It requires employers to acquire or modify equipment, adjust work schedules,and make facilities accessible. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION The label placed on institutional efforts to diversify by race or gender. Regents of the University of Cali v. Bakke (1978) The Supreme Court ruled that mandatory quotas were unconstitutional. The Court has ruled in favor of affirmative, in some instances, since this ruling.
UNIT 3: POLITICAL BELIEFS & BEHAVIOR ONE PAGER PUBLIC OPINION PUBLIC OPINION & THE SPECTRUM ISSUE TYPES POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES PUBLIC OPINION What the public thinks about a particular issue or set of issues at any point in time. THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM Liberals fall on the left side of the spectrum. Conservative fall on the right side of the spectrum. Moderates fall somewhere in the middle of spectrum. FACTOR THAT INFLUENCE POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION The process by which one develops political opinions. MOST INFLUENTIAL FACTOR Family OTHER FACTORS Education, Religion, Race, Location, Gender, Wealth, Occupation, Media. VALENCE ISSUES Concerns or policies that are viewed in the same way by people with a variety of ideologies WEDGE ISSUES Concerns or policies that sharply divide the public SALIENCY If an issue is important to someone it has high saliency SCIENTIFIC METHODOLOGY THE STEPS TO SCIENTIFIC POLLING Construct a questionnaire with properly worded questions. Select a representative sample (Define universe and have a random sample ) Analyze the data appropriately Draw conclusions IDEOLOGY A comprehensive and mutually consistent set of ideas LIBERAL IDEOLOGY One of today s major ideologies. Since the 1930 s liberal usually means allowing the government to expand beyond established constraints. CONSERVATIVE IDEOLOGY One of today s major ideologies. Currently want less taxation and less government spending. SHORTCOMINGS OF POLLING SHORTCOMING WITH SCIENTIFIC POLLING Margin of error : 4% up or down for 1,000 sample. Sampling error: Random sample may not be as random, hard to find homeless voters. Limited response options: Complex views may not be found in options. Lack of information: People may not know what they are talking about. Difficulty measuring intensity: True opinions may not have been expressed. POLITICAL PARTICIPATION ELECTORATE TERMINOLOGY ELECTORATE The people who are entitled to vote in an election. SUFFRAGE (FRANCHISE) The Right to Vote DISENFRANCHISE To take away the right to vote VOTER TURNOUT The portion of the voting age public that votes. *Voter turnout in U.S. is around 50 60% EXPANDING THE ELECTORATE AMENDMENTS 15th Amendment: Right to vote can t be denied due to color 19th Amendment: Right to vote can t be denied due to sex. 23rd Amendment: Washingtonians can vote in presidential elections. 24th Amendment: Eliminated poll taxes 26th Amendment: Lowered voting age to 18 VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965 Federal government started enforcing 15th amendment MODERN SUFFRAGE REQUIREMENTS & LIMITATIONS VOTING REQUIREMENTS Citizenship (must be legal U.S. citizen) Residence (must be resident in State) Age (must 18 years old to vote) Registration (49 states require to register prior) VOTING LIMITATIONS (differ per State) Mental Competency Convicted Felons REASONS FOR LOW VOTER TURNOUT DEMOGRAPHICS THAT VOTE LIBERAL DEMOGRAPHICS THAT VOTE CONSERVATIVE Voter fatigue: too many elections in federal system Too busy: conflicting work/school/family Voter apathy: simple lack of concern for election Voter efficacy: feeling your votes counts (some people don t have it) Women African Americans & Hispanics Catholics & Jews East coast & West coast Wage earners & Craftsmen & Factory line workers Men Whites & Asians Protestants & Evangelicals & Mormons South & West Business community & Entrepreneurs & Shareholders
UNIT 4: LINKAGE INSTITUTIONS ONE PAGER POLITICAL PARTIES SEGMENTS OF A POLITICAL PARTY FUNCTIONS OF POLITICAL PARTIES PARTY SYSTEM IN UNITED STATES POLITICAL PARTY A group who attempts to win elections to acquire power. SEGMENTS Governmental: Office holders who pursue policy that favor the political party s goals. Organization: People who work or volunteer for party. Electorate: Voters who associate with the party. IN ELECTIONS Recruit & label candidates Building coalitions Gather funds Get information out IN OFFICE Policy formation & promotion Watchdog: oppose other party (call them out) TWO PARTY SYSTEM We have this due to single member districts (winner take all system). A person that wins by one vote wins the election (of entire district) Democrats & Republicans are two major parties (now) MINOR PARTY (THIRD PARTY) A political party that plays a smaller role in elections. Major parties often adopt ideas from them. ELECTIONS & CAMPAIGNS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION INCUMBENCY CAMPAIGN FINANCE NOMINATIONS Primaries and caucuses are held in each State (both parties) to see which candidates can receive the majority of delegates. NATIONAL CONVENTION Delegates officially nominate their party s candidate and they write a party platform. GENERAL ELECTION (ELECTORAL COLLEGE) The popular vote in each State determines how (most) of electors will vote. (A candidate needs 270 Electoral votes) INCUMBENT A person seeking re election. INCUMBENCY ADVANTAGE Name Recognition, Franking (free mail to inform voters about their state or district), Money (PACs back winners), Coattail effect. INCUMBENCY DISADVANTAGE Bad economy doesn t help anyone get re elected. FEDERAL ELECTIONS COMMISSION (FEC) Independent agency that regulates elections. McCAIN FEINGOLD (Bipartisan Reform Act) Banned soft money (party building purposes) Increased limitations on hard money (for candidates) *$2,000 from individual *$5,000 from PACs (political action committees) *$25,000 from national parties INTEREST GROUPS DEFINITION & TYPES ELECTIONEERING LOBBYING INTEREST GROUP A group that tries to encourage or prevent change in public policy without being elected. TYPES OF INTEREST GROUPS Economic interest groups (like a labor group) Social action interest groups Public interest groups (serve interest of all) Governmental units (groups of local leaders) Political action committees (PACs) INFLUENCING ELECTIONS Candidate Endorsement: Candidates want large interest groups to support them. Getting out vote: GOTV (increase voter participation) Political Action Committees (PACs): raise money to donate to candidates. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES (PACs) Fund raising committee (registered & regulated) Must have 50 members, donate to at least 5 candidates and register with the FEC. LOBBYING Applying pressure to the policy making process. APPLY PRESSURE Congress: testifying as experts & writing legislation Executive Branch: attempt to influence how agencies implement policy The Courts: Sponsor litigation & amicus curiae briefs (persuasive essay to influence judges) The public: Persuade people not only to agree with group but to also to contact government. (grassroots) MASS MEDIA TYPES OF MEDIA FUNCTIONS OF MEDIA INFLUENCE OF MEDIA 3 MAIN TYPES Print media (newspapers and magazines) Broadcast media (radio and television) New media (internet and apps) MAIN FUNCTIONS Gatekeeper: Mass media decides what makes the news. Scorekeeper: Mass media keeps track of success and failures. Watchdog: Mass media looks for corruption, scandal, or Agenda setting: public talks about stories they see (usually doesn t influence public s opinion of story) Framing : Example: is a KKK march story framed as freedom of speech or disturbing the peace.
UNIT 5: GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS ONE PAGER (SORRY ONE PAGE WASN T ENOUGH SPACE) CONGRESS CONGRESSIONAL POWERS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SENATE EXPRESSED (SOMETIMES CALLED ENUMERATED ) Powers that are written out in constitution. Tax, spend, declare war, naturalization laws, Regulate Trade IMPLIED POWERS Powers implied to belong to Congress in order to carry out expressed powers. McCulloch v. Maryland ruled Congress has implied powers. Draft Americans, Establish minimum wage NONLEGISLATIVE POWERS Power found in Constitution that do not relate to making laws. Investigative, Impeachment, confirming appointments STATE REPRESENTATION 435 members, # divided out to States based on their population (census counts every 10 years) MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS & TERMS 25 years old, Citizen for 7 years, Resident of State 2 year term (no term limits) ELECTED Always directly elected by citizens in their district EXCLUSIVE POWER Initiates revenue bills FIRING OFFICIALS Impeachment : charges someone with a crime STATE REPRESENTATION 100 members based on State equality ( 2 per state) MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS & TERMS 30 years old, Citizen for 9 years, Resident of State 6 year term ( Continuous body: ⅓ of Senate up for re election every two years) ELECTED Originally selected by State Legislatures 17th Amendment changed to direct election. EXCLUSIVE POWER Approves presidential appointments and treaties FIRING OFFICIALS Votes to convict or fire official HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW COMMITTEES CONGRESSIONAL VOTING OVERVIEW Both houses must approve a bill before President can sign it. THE BASICS Any House member can propose a bill in the House. Any Senator can propose a bill in Senate. Committee Action: They crafts bills to their likings Floor Action: Debate & Vote. (goes to other house) Conference Committee: Member of both houses join to create a compromise bill. Both houses vote again (cause it's a new bill) Presidential Action : Sign into law or veto. (10 days in/out) President veto can be overridden with ⅔ vote of both houses. COMMITTEE ACTION Recommendation: recommend to full body of Congress to vote this bill into law. Amend: Change bill more to your liking Reject: Deny bill Substitute: Replace a bill with your version Pigeonhole: ignore a bill HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE: Determines floor action (debate time & ability to add amendments) *Committees are where the real work gets done. VOTING THEORIES Representational (delegate): Voting to please their constituents. Organizational (partisan): Voting to please members of Congress. Attitudinal (trustee): Voting based on their own judgement. *Representational vote is only likely if citizens views are known to congress members INFLUENCING CONGRESS Political parties, Constituents, Lobbyists, Staff Members THE PRESIDENCY PRESIDENTIAL ROLES IN CONSTITUTION EXECUTIVE ORDER DIVIDED GOVERNMENT Chief Legislator: Signs or vetoes legislation. Bully pulpit: uses prestige and visibility of the office to mobilize American public. Chief Diplomat: Appoints diplomats and ambassadors. Creates Treaties (Senate Confirmation). Create Executive Agreements. Power of Recognition: decides which countries exists in the eyes of the United States. Commander in Chief: Commands armed forces Chief of State: Ceremonial head of government. Chief Magistrate: Clemency (mercy) for federal crimes. Reprieve (postpone). Pardon (forgive a crime). Commute (reduce). Amnesty (pardon a group of law violators). Chief Executive: Head of executive branch (Appoints judges, agency heads). Chief Administrator: Director of the bureaucracy (2.7 million workers excluding military carrying out Congress laws.) DEFINITION A directive, rule, or regulation that has the effect of law. PURPOSE Presidents issue these to carry out laws. AMENDMENTS ON PRESIDENT 12th Amendment: President & Vice President run as a team. 20th Amendment: Inauguration moved to Jan 20th. 22nd Amendment: Limits a President to two terms. 25th Amendment: Addresses presidential vacancy and disability. DIVIDED GOVERNMENT One party controls white house, and another controls at least one house of Congress. UNIFIED GOVERNMENT One political party controls congress & white house. OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT PRESIDENT DIRECTS White House Office: Closest advisors: Chief of Staff & Press Secretary Executive Office of the President (EOP): Staff services: National Security Council and the Office of Management and Budget. The Cabinet: The heads of the federal departments. Independent Agencies: EPA, FCC, Post Office
AP GOV UNIT 5: GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS ONE PAGER Page 2 THE BUREAUCRACY INDEPENDENT AGENCIES CONTROL OF BUREAUCRACY BUREAUCRACY MAKES POLICY INDEPENDENT EXECUTIVE AGENCIES Functions but doesn t fit in cabinet department Example: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) INDEPENDENT REGULATORY AGENCIES Regulate an aspect of the economy Example: Federal Communications Commission regulates airwaves. GOVERNMENT CORPORATIONS Carries out business like activities in order to provide a service. Example: Post Office sell stamps to deliver mail. *THE BUREAUCRACY is all the agencies created by Congress to enforce (carry out) laws. PRESIDENTIAL CONTROL Appoints and removes agency heads (unless independent by law) Issues executive orders CONGRESSIONAL CONTROL Creates & destroys agencies Funds agencies Pass legislation to change scope of agencies Investigate agencies to become informed Confirms presidential appointments JUDICIAL CONTROL The power of Judicial Review to check agencies rules and regulations to see if they are constitutional. BUREAUCRATIC POWER Congress gives agencies quasi legislative powers and quasi judicial powers. Discretionary Authority (administrative discretion): The ability to make choices the best way to implement congressional intentions. RULEMAKING (SETTING REGULATIONS) Example: The FCC decides what is appropriate to be broadcasted. No F word or nudity on daytime television. SETTING PUNISHMENT FCC fined Timberlake & J Jackson for breaking rules. Can be appealed through federal court system. BUREAUCRATIC PATHOLOGIES IRON TRIANGLES & ISSUE NETWORKS SPOILS SYSTEM TO MERIT SYSTEM Red Tape: Complex rules and procedures leads to long wait times before action can be take place. Conflict: Agencies work at cross purposes with one another. Duplication: Two agencies are given the same tasks by Congress. Imperialism: Agencies continue to grow regardless of effectiveness. Waste: Agencies spend more money than they need. IRON TRIANGLE Agency, Committee, and Interest Group mutually benefit one another. ISSUE NETWORK Break up Iron Triangles Consist of lawyers, consultants, academia, courts, physicians, other members of government. SPOILS SYSTEM Presidents appoints friends and supporters. Tenure Office Act MERIT SYSTEM People being hired and promoted based on skill and merit. Pendleton Service Act * Bureaucrat: an appointed official THE JUDICIARY DUAL COURT SYSTEM LAYERS OF FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM FIVES CASES LIKELY ON AP TEST JURISDICTION The right to hear a case. NATIONAL COURT (NICKNAME: FEDERAL) Federal disputes are heard in federal court. STATE COURTS Used over disputes for State laws. Has its own appeal courts and State Supreme Court. *Concurrent Jurisdiction: when an individual breaks both national and State law. They get put in just one. DISTRICT COURTS 94 district courts with original jurisdiction: case is first heard. COURT OF APPEALS 12 Circuit Court of Appeals with appellate jurisdiction : case is heard again because first court case was possibly unfair. SUPREME COURT Primarily decides to hear cases on appeal (appellate jurisdiction. Also hears some cases on original jurisdiction. Marbury v. Madison, 1803: ruled the Supreme Court has the power of Judicial Review. McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819: ruled that Congress has implied powers to carry out expressed powers. Gibbons v. Ogden, 1824: rule the National government has power to regulate interstate commerce. Gitlow v. New York, 1925: 1st time the Court used Selective Incorporation (applying a portion of the bill of rights to State governments. Brown v. Board of Education, 1954: ruled that Separate but Equal doctrine is unconstitutional. HEARING & DECIDING SUPREME CASES SUPREME COURT OPINIONS COURT AS A POLICY MAKER The Rule of Four: 4 Justices must agree to hear it. Briefs: Written to influence the case. (amicus curiae briefs) are written by people not directly involved. Oral arguments: each side gets 30 minutes Conference & Vote: Justices meet to discuss and vote on the case. *Set a precedent: influences similar future cases. Per Curiam Opinion: brief unsigned opinion. Opinion of the Court: Official interpretation. Majority vote of Supreme Court justices. Concurring Opinion: Justices write if they agree with Opinion of the Court but for different reasoning. Dissenting Opinion: Justice writes to explain why they disagree with the Court decision (not official). JUDICIAL ACTIVISM When judges rule that support a political agenda or have a direct effect on policy. JUDICIAL RESTRAINT The belief that policy decisions should be left to the Congress. The judicial branch s role is to interpret and apply the law, not to create it.
UNIT 6: PUBLIC POLICY ONE PAGER DOMESTIC POLICY MAKING POLICY INFLUENCING POLICY MAKERS ECONOMIC THEORY & COST/BENEFIT POLICY CONGRESS Congress passes laws PRESIDENT The president issues executive orders. BUREAUCRACY The agencies set regulations (rulemaking) JUDICIAL The Court sets precedents by ruling on a case (some ruling require governments to spend money in remedies) *All government institutions create policy in some way. POLITICAL PARTIES A group who tries to win elections so they can control the government (policy). INTEREST GROUPS Use propaganda to influence people. Use PACs to influence elections of future policy makers. Hire lobbyist to apply pressure on the policy making process (gov institutions). MEDIA The media selects which stories to cover. (gatekeeper) KEYNESIAN ECONOMICS The government should control the economy by adding or removing money from the economy based on the demand. This could fight inflation. SUPPLY SIDE THEORY Fiscal conservatives believe that if you tax people less then they will have more money to spend. COST/BENEFITS OF POLICY Majoritarian: all pay, all get social security Entrepreneurial: some pay, all get limit carbon emissions Client politics: all pay, some get food stamps Interest group: some pay, some get 60 day notice layoffs MONETARY POLICY VERSUS FISCAL POLICY THE FEDERAL BUDGET PROCESS REVENUE & EXPENDITURES MONETARY POLICY Government manages money supply and the value of American currency. The Federal Reserve Board (The Fed) is an independent regulatory agency that sets monetary policy by setting bond rates (interest on bonds), setting discount rates (interest on loans), and setting the reserve requirements (money banks must keep on hand) FISCAL POLICY The amount Congress decides to tax (revenue) and spend (expenditures). Federal taxes: Income, Estate, Corporate, Excise. State taxes: Sales, Property, Licenses, Income EXECUTIVE ROLE Agencies submit desired funding to OMB. Office of Management & Budget finalizes budget proposal under Presidents leadership. LEGISLATIVE ROLE Congress sets overall levels of revenue & expenditures Passes appropriation bills: spending bills. *The U.S. taxes and spends around 4 trillion dollars every year. (Deficit usually) REVENUE Income Taxes (biggest hunk). Progressive tax: the more you make the more you pay. Flat tax: everyone pays the same rate (done at State level with sales tax. SPENDING Mandatory Spending make up ⅔ of budget. Entitlement program: citizens receive a benefit by law if they meet certain requirements. Examples: Food Stamps, Medicare Discretionary spending makes up ⅓ of budget. Debt: the total amount of money that the U.S. owes. Deficit: when the government spends more than it makes. Surplus: when the government spends less than it makes. FOREIGN & MILITARY POLICY CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK INFLUENCE FROM INSIDE GOVERNMENT INFLUENCE FROM OUT OF U.S. CONGRESS Declares war. Funds military action. Senate approves appointments of ambassadors & top military personnel. Senate ratifies treaties with other nations by ⅔ vote. Oversight of agencies within the State and Defense Departments. THE PRESIDENT Commander in chief Appoints ambassadors & top military personnel Negotiates treaties with other nations (senate confirms) Make executive agreements (no approval needed) WAR POWERS ACT OF 1973 LIMITS THE PRESIDENT President has 48 hours to report troops being sent to another country.. Troops only have 60 days unless Congress extends. Congress can pass concurrent resolution to end combat. EXECUTIVE BRANCH The President: Commander in chief Department of State: diplomacy (diplomats/treaties) Department of Defense: Pentagon runs military Joint Chiefs of Staff: link between leadership military National Security Agency (NSA): gathers intelligence (electronically) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA): Collects and analyses information about foreign countries and events. National Security Council (NSC): Advises president Department of Homeland Security: coordinate efforts to stop domestic terrorism. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH Congressional leadership: Congress decided to create NASA to because sputnik was a threat. Congressional oversight: Conducts hearings to gather information to decide on policy. Treaties: ⅔ of Senate needed to ratify. Appointments: Majority of Senate needed to approve. Appropriations: Spending bills for agencies like army UNITED NATIONS AGENCIES International Monetary Fund: stable currency World Trade Organization: expand free trade. World Bank: gives loans to developing nations. GLOBAL MEETINGS G 8 summit: improve international development United Nations: tries to keep peace European Union: Europe united for trade MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS Companies with multinational ownership of property and financial instruments are becoming influential. INFLUENCE FROM OUT OF GOV Business: military industrial complex News Media: Media coverage of vietnam. The public: protesting war/elections Think Tanks: like international interest groups.