AP Government Seminar 2002 FRQ Project Don Moseley Eagles Landing Christian Academy

Question 1 The concept of “divided government” in the United States means that one political party can control the executive branch while another controls the legislative branch. This poses problems for the President in making appointments to federal offices. Describe two problems that divided government poses for the President in making federal appointments. Identify and explain two ways Presidents try to overcome the problems described in (a). EQs: What are a POTUS’s executive powers, why have they grown and how can Congress constrain them? Discussion of the factors for the growth of presidential power over the course of American history and Article II Vocabulary: Ordinance power, executive order, appointment and removal power Content Area: I Constitutional Underpinnings, III Political Parties, IV Institutions

Function Implied or Expressed? Gives the President Power to… Executing the Law The Ordinance Power The Appointment Power The Removal Power Expressed Implied Expressed Implied Uphold and carry out all federal laws, with some discretion in interpreting and enforcing them. direct the administration of the executive branch, issue orders, and delegate responsibility within the bureaucracy appoint some officials on his own authority and appoint some officials with the Senate’s approval Remove any person he or she has appointed, except for federal judges; Congress may set limits on his power to remove the heads of independent agencies that are not purely executive agencies. The Executive Powers of the President

Question 2 Using the information in the figure above and your knowledge of United States politics, complete the following tasks. Describe what the figure above demonstrates about the distribution of government benefits over time. Identify two politically relevant factors that have affected the changing distribution of government benefits between the children and the elderly. Explain how each of the two factors identified in (b) has affected the changing distribution of government benefits. EQs: How have interest groups affected the changing distribution of government benefits? Vocabulary Interest group, single interest group, public interest group, public policy, public affairs, lobbying, propaganda, grass roots, labor union Content Area: III- Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media. V - Public Policy

Question 3 Political institutions can present both obstacles and opportunities to racial minority groups in their efforts to gain political influence. (a)Identify one feature of one of the following and explain how that feature has presented obstacles to racial minority groups in their efforts to achieve political goals.  Federalism  The United States political party system  The United States electoral system (a)Identify one feature of one of the following and explain how that might present opportunities to racial minority groups in their efforts to achieve political goals.  Federalism  The United States political party system  The United States electoral system

EQ: What are the powers delegated to and denied to the National and State governments? What is Federalism? How does the US electoral system function? What is the role of the political party system in the United States? Why is there a dominant two party structure in the United States? Read: Lanahan reader: pg 79, 84-87, “Diversity in the Power Elite” Quote: “I was lucky to be born black” Colin Powell pg 85 Discuss: the opportunities and obstacles described in the Lanahan reader. Content Area: I Constitutional Underpinnings, II Political Beliefs and Behaviors (demographics), III Political Parties, IV Institutions of National Government, VI Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (Voting Rights Acts) Vocabulary Federalism, division of powers, delegated powers, expressed powers, implied powers, inherent powers, reserved powers, exclusive powers, concurrent powers

National Powers (Enumerated) Concurrent (Shared powers) State Powers (Reserved powers) Coin Money Conduct foreign relations Regulate commerce with foreign nations and among states provide for an army and navy Establish a national court system Make laws necessary and proper to carry out foregoing powers Tax Borrow money Establish Courts Make and enforce laws Charter Banks and corporations Spend money for the general welfare Set time, place and manner of elections Ratify amendments to the US Constitution Take measures for public health, safety, and morals Exert powers the Constitution does not delegate to the national government (10 th amendment) or prohibit states from using Establish local governments and regulate commerce within a state Powers

Question 4 In the last half of the twentieth-century, voter turnout in federal elections has declined. During the same period, voter turnout has been higher in presidential elections than in midterm elections. (a)Identify two factors that have contributed to the overall decline in turnout in federal elections and explain how each factor has contributed to the overall decline. (b)Identify and explain two reasons why voter turnout has been higher in presidential elections than in midterm elections. EQ: What are the factors in the United States that have led to low voter turnout?

In recent years, there has been a sharp rise in the number of Independent voters – why? Vocabulary Off-year election, political efficacy, political socialization, gender gap, party identification, straight-ticket voting, split-ticket voting, independent Content Area: II Political Beliefs and Behaviors, III Political Parties, Interest Groups and Mass Media (the role that each of these areas plays in relation to voter turnout), V Public Policy – (How public policy helps or hinders voter turnout)

DemocratRepublican Income/Occupation Education Gender/Age Religion Ethnicity Geography Lower status, lower income less educated women/ younger Catholics, Jews African-Americans, other nonwhites, Hispanics Higher status and income more educated men/ older Protestants Whites and Cubans Voter Characteristics