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AP US Government & Politics

Today & Tomorrow

• Welcome• Course Overview & Expectations• How to Succeed • Unit 1 Overview• Ch 1 Review

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AP EXAM – May

• Keep your eye on the ball

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Success in AP Government

My Hope:You have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience learning how to influence

public policy in a college-like atmosphere resulting in college credit!

How to achieve this:• Chunk your chapter readings over the unit• Utilize Cornell Notes • Study for several hours• Study in groups• Ask me questions! Come before, stay after, email, call, whatever.• Don’t just read the notes – process the information! (Video)• Use the book online resources (self-quizzes, audio summary,

flashcards, glossary)• Follow national political Current Events closely

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The Curve of Forgetting

The Curve of Forgetting describes how we retain or lose information we take in.

“Before” & “After” The CORNELL WAY

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Unit I Overview

• Ch 1 Review• Constitution• Separation of Powers• Federalism

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Chapter OneThe Study of American Government

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Government

• Individuals• Institutions• Processes Makes rules

for society

+ Power to enforce

= Government

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What is Political Power?

• Power: the ability of one person to cause another person to act in accordance with the first person’s intentions

• Authority: the right to use power

• Legitimacy: what makes a law or constitution a source of right

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Kinds of Democracy

• Direct democracy: A form of democracy in which most, or all, of the citizenry participate directly.

• Representative democracy: A government in which leaders make decisions by winning a competitive struggle for the popular vote.

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The Framers’ View

• Government would mediate, not mirror, popular views

• People were viewed as lacking knowledge and susceptible to manipulation

• Assumed citizens would have limited time, information, and interest

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The Framers’ View

• Feared demagogues could manipulate fears & prejudices

• Preferred a slow moving government• Framers’ goal: to minimize the abuse of

power by a tyrannical majority or by officeholders