Essay outlines – AP Gov and Politics – Flashcards
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open primary (essay 1 part a)
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primary election in which any voter can cast a ballot in any party's primary
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caucus (essay 1 part a)
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a meeting or gathering of members of a political party where members deliberate and choose from the list of those seeking the presidential nomination
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winner take all primary (essay 1 part b)
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-shortens the timeframe for candidates wrapping up the nomination -affects strategic decisions (allocation of funds) -advantages those with more prominence or better name recognition early in the process
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How super delegates increase the power of party leaders (essay 1 part c)
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-party leaders are now assured a role in the nomination process, regardless of which candidate they support -Party leaders can cast the deciding vote in close nomination contests -Superdelegates are unpledged and therefore can change their minds on candidates as the process unfolds
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Reasons why campaign strategies differ (essay 1 part d)
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-the electorate in the primary election is different from the electorate in the general election -a candidate's opponents in the primary are fellow partisans, whereas opponents in the general election are from other parties -there are differences in financing, media coverage, and current events leading up to the general election
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winner take all feature of the electoral college (essay 2 part a)
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the candidate who gets the most votes (or a majority, a plurality, more than any other candidate) wins all of state's electoral votes.
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How it affects presidential candidates run their campaigns (essay 2 part b)
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-Resource allocation or focus on competitive states, swing states, and large states where candidates spend their time or money or buy media -issues (an issue may swing a bloc of votes in a state) -choice of vice-president (regional balance)
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Why winner take all hinders third party at the state level (essay 2 part c)
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-third party candidates may get a lot of popular votes but no electoral votes unless they carry a state -the difficulty of winning electoral votes hampers the ability to raise funds and gain other campaign resources
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Why the electoral college has not been abolished (essay 2 part d)
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-history/tradition -would require constitutional amendment -no clear consensus on an alternative -collectively benefits small states -collectively benefits large states -competitive states like it -favors two-party system
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How the media affects the formation of policy agenda (essay 3 part a)
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-media framing of issues -affects agenda setting by what it chooses to cover (priming/gatekeeping/watchdog)
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How elections affect the formation of policy agenda (essay 3 part a)
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-election winners control agenda -initiative process -issues raised during campaigns
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Description of congressional committees in the enactment of public policy (essay 3 part b)
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committee actions related to the enactment of public policy (gatekeeper/mark-up legislation/hold hearings)
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Description of executive orders in the enactment of public policy (essay 3 part b)
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-presidents use executive orders to enact policy -Bypass congress
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bureaucratic discretion in the implementation of public policy (essay 3 part c)
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bureaucrats have the ability to shape implementation of public policy
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iron triangles in the implementation of public policy (essay 3 part c)
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interest group(s)/congressional committees(s) pressure bureaucracy to implement policy that benefits them
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How veto power affects congressional decision making (essay 4 part a)
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-results in congressional interaction with the president/executive branch during the legislative process (bargaining, negotiation, compromising, consulting) -Prevents or discourages congressional action if the president makes a statement of clear opposition or threatens a veto
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how power to issue executive orders affects congressional decision making (essay 4 part a)
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-Congress acts in response to or anticipates executive orders (countermands, preempts, compromises) -Congress avoids taking action on controversial issues
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how power as commander in chief affects congressional decision making (essay 4 part a)
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-Congress engages in oversight activities -Congress clarifies its role associated with the power to declare war (war powers act) -Congress controls military spending and thus can improve, modify, or reject funding
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how power of legislative oversight affects presidential decision making (essay 4 part b)
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-Presidents minimize the number or extent of actions that might draw congressional scrutiny
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how senate advice and consent power affects presidential decision making (essay 4 part b)
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-Presidents weigh the implications of making controversial or ideological nominations or appointments -presidents use recess appointments, avoiding congressional confirmation battles -Presidents executive agreements to avoid the need to have treaties ratified
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how budgetary power affects presidential decision making (essay 4 part b)
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-presidents consider budget items or programs that are important to members of Congress -presidents consult with members of Congress during the budget process -presidents sign budgets that include provisions they oppose rather than veto the budget -Presidents postpone agenda items because of difficulty in getting congressional budgetary approval
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Primary conflict over the decision to go to war (essay 7 part a)
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the president is commander-in-chief and Congress has the power to declare war
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Provisions of the War Powers resolutions meant to limit presidential power over war making (essay 7 part b)
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-president must notify Congress within 48 hours of sending troops into combat -president must consult with Congress whenever feasible -Conflicts are limited to 60 days unless Congress takes action -Congress can extend time from the initial 60 days or can withdraw troops after 60 days with adequate notification to the president
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Other formal powers Congress has over war making (essay 7 part c)
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-passing laws -appropriations (any mention of "funding") -Confirmation of nominees -impeachement -treaty ratification Congressional oversight (hearings or investigations)
