Study-Guide for the Advanced Placement Exam

Mr. Tran

Use your textbook, any notes, AP prep manual, handouts, and past tests to write out
answers to the following questions. Be as specific as possible in order to cover the entire
question. Listing or outline form would be the most appropriate format. Reviewing each day
for about 30-45 minutes during the next two weeks should prepare you to do well on test
day.

20. The Founding Fathers believed men act rationally. They understood factions were a
fact of life. List and explain the safeguards that were written into the Constitution
that both protect man from himself as well as his government.

21. List the formal methods for amending the Constitution. Identify and give examples
of how the informal Constitution has evolved since its inception in 1787.

22. Define the term Federalism. List both the positive factors of Federalism as well as
the detractors of this unique form of government.

23. How has federalism evolved over the years? Use specific policies, court cases, and
personalities to explain your answers.

24. List and briefly explain why incumbents enjoy such an electoral advantage over
challengers in today’s congressional elections. Also explain why House members are
even more easily re-elected than their counterparts in the Senate.

25. List and give examples of why political parties have become weaker in the last 30
years. List and explain the effects of having weaker political parties.

26. Since the 1960s, the presidential primaries have changed rather dramatically.
Identify how and why the primary process has changed. List at least four effects of
this change.

27. List and explain how Congress carries out its’ three primary duties of legislation,
oversight and confirmation. Evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, and efficiency of
Congress in each area.

28. List 6 reasons power in Congress has become more decentralized in the last 30
years. What are the results and effects of this significant decentralization?

29. Identify and explain using examples, of why legislation is so difficult to get through
the Congressional committee system.

30. Congress has been accused of being highly inefficient. Access the legitimacy of this
accusation. Make sure you give examples to defend your argument. Also determine if
this inefficiency is necessarily a negative attribute.
31. Evaluate the Electoral College. Is the system flawed? The 2000 election brought
this topic to the forefront. List both the positive and negative results of using this
system of choosing our President. Will proposed reforms “fix” the problem?

32. How and why does Presidential power wane? What are the strengths and weaknesses
of the presidency? Which Presidents since 1970 have both strengthened and
weakened this powerful office?

33. The Bureaucracy is considered the 4th branch of government. Why does it get such a
bad name? How do the other powers attempt to control the bureaucracy? How
effective are the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary in obtaining bureaucratic
cooperation?

34. Identify and explain the federal judicial appointment process. What methods can
the President use if he is having difficulty with an appointment? How effective has
the President been in overcoming a reluctant Senate?

35. List the primary methods used by Interest Groups to influence public policy. Which
Interest Groups have been the most effective in getting their issues on the political
agenda? What are the characteristics of successful interest groups?

36. List the arguments for both judicial activism and judicial restraint. Identify
important political figures that have influenced this debate. List at least 6 court
cases that help illustrate this argument.

37. List at least five of the most significant checks and balances each branch of the
government (including the bureaucracy) have on each other. Evaluate the relative
effectiveness of these checks.

38. The iron-triangles of the past have become the issue networks of today. Identify
the components that make up an issue network. List and explain how these various
entities work together to influence public policy.

39. Outline and explain the federal budget process. Identify the key players involved
and expound upon the politics involved in this convoluted and messy process.