AP American Government
Unit I: Political Philosophies, Constitutional Background & Federalism
Test: THURS Sept 22
Content Covered:
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pp 17-27 in The Challenge of Democracy (textbook) & Ch 2 of REVIEW MANUAL by August 31 for QUIZ
Lectures on AP Gov Terminology, Constitutional background, philosophies, and Federalism
“What I Remember” group activity (Look up in Ch 3 & packet – read this chapter & Ch 1 of REVIEW
MANUAL if you have problems) – QUIZ on TUES Sept 20
Info packet in binder on Federalism, Constitution, and amendments; Chart of Analysis of Advantages &
Disadvantages of Federalism
2 readings on Federalism (read & highlight by WED Sept 14 – we’ll do the chart together)
Main ideas:
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linkage institutions – political parties, media, interest groups
Differences – Liberals/Conservatives; Dems/Repubs; communitarians/libertarians (idealog.org)
Basic functions of Government & principles of our Democratic government
Theories of who controls: Elite, Pluralism, Hyper-pluralism
Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation & how the Constitution was different; founder’s motives
Compromises in the Constitution; federalists & anti-federalists
Separation of Powers; Checks & balances; Federalist #10 & 51; Divided government
Powers: delegated (expressed or enumerated); concurrent; reserved; prohibited
Evolving history of Federalism: dual (layer-cake), cooperative (marble-cake), regulated (coercive), New
Federalism – relationship between national government & states, new trends in Federalism
Tools of federalism – elastic clause, commerce clause, courts, grants-in-aid (categorical & block),
preemption, unfunded mandates
Advantages & Disadvantages of federalism (see chart in Ch 2 REVIEW MANUAL & Ch 4 Textbook)
Popular sovereignty & supremacy clause
10th amendment, states’ rights, & devolution
Full Faith & Credit clause; McCulloch v Maryland & the Elastic Clause; commerce clause
Judicial Review -- Judicial Activism v Judicial Restraint
Ways to amend the constitution; “unwritten” constitution; grouping amendments by their purposes
Questions to Consider:
1. What were the problems with the Articles of Confederation & what convinced Americans to change it?
2. Why do we need government? What are the principles & values that make our government different and that are
necessary to making democracy work? Support with examples.
3. What historical background/trends, beliefs, & compromises resulted in the Constitution of 1787?
4. What did conflicts between the Federalists & Anti-Federalists reveal about political philosophies? How does this
relate to conservatives & liberals today? How does the balance between freedom, order, & equality help explain
differences between political & economic philosophies & political parties?
5. In what ways is the constitution both a general framework & a living document? What makes it so difficult to
change? Is this a good idea? Support with historical & modern-day examples.
6. How is politics different from government? How does our government illustrate the 3 different theories of control:
elite, pluralism, hyper-pluralism? How does our government illustrate both majoritarian & pluralist democracy?
7. What are the major powers & responsibilities of our 3 branches of government and how do checks & balances help
bring about limited government? What features protect against “excessive democracy”? How does divided
government also affect this?
8. Evaluate the relationship between the states & the federal government with examples of how federalism has
changed over time. How do Amendment #10 and the concept of devolution affect federalism?
9. What is judicial review & how did it develop? How has the Supreme Court fluctuated between activism &
restraint?
10. How have the amendments restrained or expanded the powers of government and of citizens?