Transcript 2014 FRQ review - SteveTesta.Net

2013-14 FRQs
2003 FRQ 3 - Jeff
Answer
(a) State and local employment rises steadily
and federal employment remains constant
(b) Mandates and grants both cause higher
state/local employment by either dictating or
suggesting what they need to accomplish
independent of the federal government
Decrease Approval Ratings
• 2003 #1 – Taylor
• Fighting a losing war
– Johnson in Vietnam
– Busch’s War on Terror
• Personal problems-public feels cheated, and the
press focuses on the flaw of the president
– Nixon - Watergate Scandal
– Clinton - Monica Lewinsky
– Reagan - Iran-Contra
Increase Approval Ratings
• Prosperous economy
–
–
–
–
Creates more jobs
People have more money to spend
Increases job security
People have a positive outlook
• Fighting a successful war
– Creates more jobs
– People feel like they are supporting a heroic effort
– “us v. them” mentality
2004 Q4 - Sami
•
•
•
Divided government is defined as having different political parties occupying the
executive and legislative branches at the same time. Currently the democrats have
the presidency while the republicans have the congress.
Divided government has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in
government by creating an increased sense of partisanship and a situation called
gridlock where bills and initiatives proposed either by the president or the
congress go no where due to the lack of compromise; and because of the feeling
that nothing gets done, the people’s trust and confidence in the government
decreases.
The increased cost of election campaigns in the US has also contributed to the
decline in trust of the government. Due to the increased cost it seems like only the
rich are able to run and generate enough revenue to compete and with many
donations coming from private corporations and political action committees it
creates a sense of donor and recipient connection in which the candidates are in
the pockets of the contributors. And even with attempts to reform campaign
finance there are still many loopholes and this causes a loss in faith in the
government.
2004 Q4 Cont.
• One of the biggest consequences of the loss in trust and confidence
in the government is the decline in American voting. With all the
backroom deals and closed door bargains many Americans feel like
their vote doesn’t matter and as a result our voting rate is so low
compared to other developed nations.
• Another consequence of the decline in trust and confidence is that
Americans have begun to identify more with Independents and
Third-Parties., with the Tea Party being a good example. The rise of
these groups has caused even greater levels of polarization and
partisanship and many Tea Party candidates have led the
government even further away from negotiation and compromise.
The result of all of this is the lowest level of satisfaction since the
Great Depression.
2012 Q2 FRQ
2012 AP® UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS
2. (a) Using the chart above,
compare minority representation
in 1960 and 2010.
(b) Explain how each of the
following assisted in the removal
of barriers to minority voting.
• Voting Rights Act of 1965
• Twenty-fourth Amendment
(c) Identify one barrier that
currently impedes minority
representation in Congress.
Explain why the barrier
you identified inhibits minority
representation in Congress.
Anthony Letterle
a) 1960- African American population 10.6% and their house representation was at
.1%. Hispanics population at 6% and their representation was also at .1%
2010- African American population at 12.8% and their house representation rose to
9.7%. Hispanic population grew to 14.8% and their house representation grew to
6.4%
Trend- House is increasing the ratio of population to representation of minorities
b) Voting rights act of 1965- Banned the use of literacy tests
24th Amendment- Banned the use of poll taxes
c) Gerrymandering is a big barrier for minorities because in either pack people on a
district to keep minorities from electing a minority candidate or split apart a
district with a large minority group to, again, keep a minority representative out
of congress
2013 Q3 - Ali - Five points total
This question asks that the student explain the workings of judicial appointments at
the federal level and compare and contrast the appointments of Bush and Obama
respectively.
A) One point - describe one similarity, possible similarities:
1. In both cases more than half the appointees were white.
2. In both cases the percentage of Hispanic appointees was similar.
3. In both cases Asian Americans were the lowest demographic.
B) Two points - two correct differences required, possible answers:
1. Obama appointed a significantly higher percentage of women.
2. Obama appointed many more racial minorities than Bush; 18% of the Bush appointees were non-white while 41% of
Obama’s appointees were non-white.
3. Obama appointed more minorities in every category (Hispanic, Black and Asian) compared to Bush.
C) One point - explain how political affiliation causes differences in appointments:
1. Party identification is a rough indicator of who will be chosen as a federal judge. A president wants to nominate someone
who will agree with their positions.
2. A president will choose someone who will go on to support their political coalition in the future regardless of the affiliation
of future Presidents in order to help their party win future elections.
D) One point - explain how a President can increase the likelihood of having their judicial nominations confirmed:
1. Consulting with the senate / using senatorial courtesy.
2. Choosing a moderate.
3. Choosing a well qualified candidate.
2.Citizens often choose to participate in the political process in
ways other than voting. Jake 2003 #2
A. Identify two forms of participation in the political
process other than voting.
• Peaceful Protesting
• Join Political Action Committee
B.) Explain two advantages of each form of participation
identified.
• Advantages to peaceful protesting include calling direct attention
to a specific issue and gaining support for your issue from media
and other people becoming aware of the topic
• Joining a PAC gives you the possibility to vote for whom others ca
vote for and a chance to raise funds for they're party.
Both party leadership and committees in Congress play key roles in the
legislative process. 2003 – 4 - Danielle
Define two of the following elements of the congressional committee
system and explain how each influences the legislative progress:
Specialization, Reciprocity/logrolling, Party representation on
committees
Specialization: members of Congress develop policy expertise
• Development of expertise • Division of labor
• Independence from executive• Better legislation
• More attention to legislative (efficient/knowledge)
Reciprocity/logrolling: vote trading/exchanges, bargaining
• Speeds Process
• Government does more
Party representation on committees: representation reflective of chamber as a whole
• Party pushes own agenda
• Determines leadership in committees
Both party leadership and committees in Congress play key roles in the
legislative process
Identify two ways party leadership in Congress can
influence the legislative process and explain how each
way influences the process
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Assignment of members to committees
Assignment of committee chairs
Scheduling
Agenda-setting (rules committee)
Party discipline
Leadership use of media
Recognition on floor
Leadership of electoral support
And explain . . .
2004 – 3 - Sarah. Minor parties have been a common feature of U.S. politics.
a) Describe the point of view expressed about minor parties in the political cartoon
above.
Answer should include an accurate description of the cartoon’s point of view: voting for
a minor party is equivalent to throwing a vote away.
b) Identify and explain how two rules of the U.S. electoral system act as obstacles to
minor party candidates winning elections.
Accepted answers include an accurate depiction of the winner-take-all aspect of the
electoral college, ballot access, campaign financing (the rules and limits, not the
effects), federal funding of presidential elections, exclusion from presidential
debates, and single-member plurality districts.
c) Minor parties make important contributions to the U.S. political system in spite of
the institutional obstacles to their candidate’s success. Describe two of these
contributions.
Acceptable answers may include accurate depictions of new or different ideas or issues,
voice for fringe, safety valve for discontent, enhanced participation, room for critical
voices, pushing major parties to include otherwise underrepresented concerns or
groups, or clarifying major party candidate’s positions.
2013 Q1
John Edwards
• Describe a Direct Democracy
– Everybody votes on everything
– Ex. Ancient Athens
• Describe a Republic
– Elected officials vote on things
– Ex. Ancient Rome
• 1 reason framers chose a republic
– Distrust of the public - they feared direct political responsibility would cause
conflict that might undermine the original values of the constitution
• Models of congressional representation
– Trustee – the congress member makes political decisions based on their
personal experiences and ideologies
– Delegate – the congress member makes decisions based upon the views of
their constituents
• Why would a member of congress act as a trustee rather than a
delegate?
– In a situation where the issue relates to their personal experiences
– Ex. A former District Attorney strengthening anti drug laws
2012 Question 1
Lindsey Dunham
1. Members of Congress are charged with three primary duties—writing laws,
overseeing the implementation of laws, and serving the needs of their
constituents.
(a) Describe the role of each of the following in lawmaking.
• Senate filibuster
• House Rules Committee
• Conference committee
(b) Describe one method by which Congress exercises oversight of
the federal bureaucracy.
(c) Explain how casework affects members’ attention to legislation.
(a) 3 points Describe the role of each of the following in lawmaking
(Must describe the role in lawmaking explicitly.)
•
Senate filibuster allows a senator on the floor to:
•
•
•
Rules Committee schedules or manages the flow of legislation on the floor to:
•
•
•
Prevent/delay action on a particular bill.
Prevent/delay other business from being conducted.
Make it easier or more difficult for a bill to pass.
Make the process more efficient/orderly/manageable.
Conference Committee reconciles differences in House and Senate versions of a bill.
(b) 1 point Describe one method by which Congress exercises oversight of the
federal bureaucracy.
•
•
•
•
•
•
(Must describe the context in which Congress uses the method to oversee the bureaucracy)
Budgetary process (power of the purse)
Committee hearings
Confirmation or rejection of political appointments to the bureaucracy
Investigations
New legislation
Legislative veto
(c) 1 point Explain how casework affects members’ attention to legislation.
•
•
Diverts time, resources, and staff, thus reducing members’ ability to focus on legislation.
Develops awareness of problems, thus focusing more time and resources on related legislation
2012 Q3
Matt Kent
The judiciary is often assumed to be isolated
from politics. However, politics affects many
aspects of the judiciary.
• The President has to be sure that his opinion is heard, and
therefore appoints judges that share his ideology
• The Senate also has to approve the choice
• The judiciary is checked by Congress in any amendments that
are made to the Constitution, the document that they must
adhere to
• The judiciary is checked by the executive branch in that
members of the judiciary are nominated by the executive,
making them more likely to agree with them.
2004 question 2
Your dude jeremy
Identify the techniques used by different interest groups and give examples
Litigation
An action brought in court to
enforce a particular right. The
act or process of bringing a
lawsuit in and of itself; a
judicial contest; any dispute
NAACP used the courts to
progress civil liberties with
judicial review.
Campaign
contributions
Grass roots/mass
mobilizing
Campaign finance is all funds
raised for a political candidate,
idea, interest group, or
organization that gets involved
politically.
The mobilizing of the civilian
population in order to protest
or support a political
movement.
2013 Question 3:Analyze the ways in which the United States sought to advance its interests in
world affairs between 1789 and 1823. (Indya)
Potential Outside Information
•National security: neutrality and isolationism, war, and diplomacy.
Possible United States Interests in World Affairs
•Territorial expansion, including the impact on Native Americans.
•Economic interests: exports, slave trade, tariffs, and free trade.
•Relations with Europe and the newly independent Latin American republics.
•Establishment and maintenance of national honor and respect.
Potential Relevant Historical Information
•Federalist pro-British ideas and policies and Democratic-Republican pro-French ideas and policies
exerted an influence on the conduct of foreign affairs.
George Washington
•Tariff of 1789.
•Haitian Revolution (1791–1804).
•Neutrality Proclamation and Act of 1793.
•Citizen Genet Affair.
•Invention of cotton gin by Eli Whitney (1793) led to the beginning of increased cotton production and exports.
•Jay’s Treaty (1794).
•Pinckney’s Treaty with Spain (1795), also called Treaty of San Lorenzo.
•Washington’s Farewell Address (1796).
John Adams
•Quasi-war or naval war with France (1796-1798).
•XYZ Affair (1797).
•Alien and Sedition Acts (1798) suppressed Democratic-Republican’s and Jeffersonian Republican’s support for France.
•Neutrality in the Napoleonic Wars (1799–1815).
•Convention of 1800 — ends 1778 Treaty of Alliance with France and quas
2013 Q2
A Sunny Patel Production
And sponsored by Garamond, the official font of SP Productions
Political parties play important rules in US elections
and government institutions. Over the past several
decades, the influence of political parties in elections
has declined while the strength in Congress has
increased
A) Describe two important functions of political
parties in US elections
B) Describe one important role political parties play
within Congress to promote the party’s public
policy agenda
C) Explain how Direct Primaries and Candidatecentered campaigns have weakened the
influence of political parties over the political
process
D) Explain how party polarization has strengthened
party influence in Congress
A) Describe two important functions
of political parties in US elections
Political parties can:
• Provide cues for voters
• Provide a platform of issues
• Recruit candidates for government office
• Nominate candidates for government
office
• Raise funds for their candidates’
campaigns
• Support for candidates’ campaigns
• Mobilize voters and get out the votes
B) Describe one important role political parties play
within Congress to promote the party’s public policy
agenda
• Leadership positions in Congress are assigned on a party
basis.
• Party leaders articulate legislative policy priorities of the
party.
• Party leaders facilitate legislative policy priorities of the
party.
• Majority party selects committee chairs who promote
the party’s legislative priorities in committee.
• Majority party appoints and controls the standing
committees.
• Majority party controls floor debates.
• Majority party controls the rules and calendar
favorable to majority party’s policy priorities.
C) Explain how Direct Primaries and Candidatecentered campaigns have weakened the influence
of political parties over the political process
• Direct primaries:
• Gives parties less control over the
nomination process of candidates
• candidates appeal directly to voters and bypass
parties
• candidates may win who are not favored by
the party elite
•
Candidate-centered campaigns:
• Candidates appeal directly to voters
• Candidates can raise money by appealing
to voters or PACs directly
• Candidates choose their own issues to
campaign on
D) Explain how party polarization has strengthened
party influence in Congress
Party Polarization strengthens party
influence in Congress because:
• Members of political parties vote
along party line; therefore they are less
likely to cross party lines to vote with
the other party
AP Gov. FRQ 2013 Q 4
Steve McFarland
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
6 points
Part (a): 2 points
One point is earned for a correct explanation of the importance of each of the following in the formation of
the policy agenda:
Media
• Affects agenda setting by what it chooses to cover (priming/gatekeeping/watchdog).
• Media framing of issues.
Elections
• Election winners control agenda.
• Initiative process.
• Issues raised during campaigns.
Part (b): 2 points
One point is earned for a correct description of the role of each of the following in the enactment of
public policy:
Congressional committees: committee actions related to the enactment of public policy
(gatekeeper/mark-up legislation/hold hearings).
Executive Orders
• Presidents use executive orders to enact policy.
• Bypass Congress.
Part (c): 2 points
One point is earned for a correct explanation of the importance of each of the following in the
implementation of public policy:
Bureaucratic discretion: bureaucrats have the ability to shape implementation of public policy.
Issue networks or iron triangles
• Interest group(s)/congressional committee(s) pressure bureaucracy to implement policy that
benefits them.
• Bureaucracy can shape policy implementation to benefit interest group(s).
Part A
• A. The media displays candidates in elections,
representatives, leaders, and policy in a way to
make the citizen favor one side over the other.
This changes the way citizens vote, and the
people they vote for form public policy.
• Elections are when citizens vote for a candidate
who’s opinion is closest to themselves or who is
best fit for the job. This view of the candidates
and opinions of the citizens can be altered by
media and campaigning. The people citizens
select to represent them form public policy.
Part B
• B. The congressional committee is where bills originate.
Committee leaders have the power to kill any bill related to
the committees job. They also have the powers to display
what they believe to be as the best bills. It is sort of like a
filter for public policy. The bills presented to congress by
the committee is seen as the most knowledgeable as their
topic.
• Executive orders are orders by the president which have
the power of a law but do not need to be passed by The
Senate or House of Representatives. They do need to be
related to or connected to a law previously passed. These
allow the president a high level of a form of discretionary
authority with laws and actions of the federal government.
Part C
• C. Bureaucratic discretion allows for bureaucrat leaders to enact
laws in a way they seem fit. This gives them a good amount of
power, which is called discretionary authority. The bureaucratic
leaders can interpret laws passed by congress with a good amount
of leniency, which changes implementation of public policy.
• Iron triangles are the organization of congress, interest groups, and
the bureaucracy. Each corner of the triangle has power, but a
balance is kept. The interest groups keep congress members in
office with campaigning and funding, the congress members keep
the bureaucracy funded with public policy. The connection between
those three groups keep the federal government from
implementing certain public policy that would hurt interest groups,
and give the bureaucracy too mush discretionary authority or stop
funding for federal organizations and the bureaucracy.
2004 Question 1
Badal Patel
• Presidents are generally thought to have advantages over
Congress in conducting foreign policy because of the formal and
informal powers of the presidency.
– (a) Identify two formal constitutional powers of the President
in making foreign policy.
– (b) Identify two informal constitutional powers of Congress in
making foreign policy.
– (c) Identify two informal powers of the President that
contribute to the President’s advantage over Congress in
conducting foreign policy.
– (d) Explain how each of the informal powers identified in (c)
contributes to the President’s advantage over Congress in
conducting foreign policy.
Answer
• (a) Commander-in-chief; power to commit troops. Appointment of
ambassadors and foreign policy officials. Negotiate/make treaties.
Recognition of nations. Receive ambassadors and other public ministers.
• (b) Confirm ambassadors. Power of purse in military/ foreign policy
matters. Declare war. Pass laws/resolutions. Regulate foreign commerce
(including trade agreements). Ratify treaties
• (c) Execute agreements. Access to media/bully pulpit/morale building.
Agenda setting. Meet with world leaders. Crisis manager. International
coalition building. President has access to more information, knowledge,
or expertise than does Congress. Recognized as global leader
• (d) Persuade Congress: negotiate, offer support, threats. Persuade public:
on foreign policy process/issues. Ability to circumvent the formal process