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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

KAPI_AN PANEL OF AP EXPERTS

PART ONE: THE BASICS

CHAPTER 1: INSIDE THE AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS EXAM

Overview of the Test Structure

How the Exam Is Scored

Registration and Fees

Additional Resources

CHAPTER 2: STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS: IT'S NOT ALWAYS HOW MUCH YOU KNOW

Introduction

General Test-Taking Strategies

How This Book Can Help

How to Approach the Multiple-Choice Questions

How to Approach the Free-Response Questions

Stress Management

Countdown to the Test

PART TWO: DIAGNOSTIC TEST

How to Calculate Your Score

Answers and Explanations

How to Make This Book Work for You Based on the Results of Your Diagnostic Test

PART THREE: AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS REVIEW

CHAPTER 3: THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE U.S. FEDERAL SYSTEM

Steps from the Declaratign of Independence to the Constitution

The Difficult Convention

Ratification Issues

The Development of Parties Under the Constitution

Review Questions

Answers and Explanations

CHAPTER 4: THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION OF 1787 AND THE AMENDMENTS

Basics of Federalism

The Constitution of 1787

Interpretations and Adjustments

The Bill of Rights and Other Amendments

Outline of the Constitution

Review Questions

Answers and Explanations

CHAPTER 5: FEDERALISM AND THE U.S. GOVERNMENT

Basic Structure of the Federal System

Examples of U.S. Federalism: Separations of Powers

Examples of U.S. Federalism: Checks and Balances

Examples of U.S. Federalism: Fiscal Federalism

Examples of National and State Powers in Modern Federalism

Major Events in Federalism

Review Questions

Answers and Explanations

CHAPTER 6: POLITICAL BELIEFS AND BEHAVIORS

Traditions of Citizen Behaviors

Viewpoint Origins

Participation and Voting

Participation and Civic Responsibility

The Political Spectrum

Other Modern Terms and Concepts of Political Beliefs

Major Shifts in Political Labels in the United States

Political Efficacy and Changes in the United States

Voter Biases

U.S. Voter Turnout

Review Questions

Answers and Explanations

CHAPTER 7: PUBLIC OPINION AND POLLING

Introduction

The Development of Opinions

Opinion Data

Polls and Polling

Review Questions

Answers and Explanations

CHAPTER 8: POLITICAL PARTIES

Introduction

Dominance of Two Parties

Significant Party Changes

Brief History of the Democratic Party

Brief History of the Republican Party

Parties in Decline?

Review Questions

Answers and Explanations

CHAPTER 9: CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS

Introduction

Election Patterns

The Role of Money and Reform Attempts

Presidential Elections

The Electoral College

Campaign Finance Reform

Comments on Local and Congressional Elections

Review Questions

Answers and Explanations

CHAPTER 10: INTEREST GROUPS, LOBBIES, AND POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES

Introduction

Functions of Interest Groups

Famous Interest Groups (Also Registered as Lobbies)

Lobby Group Basics

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Review Questions

Answers and Explanations

CHAPTER 11: MEDIA AND ITS FUNCTIONS

The History of Media

Goals bfthe Modern Media/Concerns about the Media

The Manipulated Media.

Media Bias?

Effects of Media Roles in Modern Politics

Review Questions

Answers and Explanations

CHAPTER 12: THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The House and the Senate

Duties and the Committees

The Basics of Congress

Opinions of Congress

Review Questions

Answers and Explanations

CHAPTER 13: THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

The President

Qualifications: Formal and Informal

Staff Influences

Important Informal Duties

The Power of Executive Privilege

Recent Events and Laws

Review Questions

Answers and Explanations

CHAPTER 14: THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY

The Fourth Branch

Scope of Powers

Basics of the Bureaucracy

The Powerful Iron Triangles of Policy

Review Questions

Answers and Explanations

CHAPTER 15: THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND CIVIL LIBERTIES

Introduction

Two-Court Systems

Creation of "Judicial Review"

The "Second" Constitution

Structure of the Federal Court System

The Supreme Court's Work

Civil Liberties and Equal Protection

The Judiciary and the Political Spectrum

Review Questions

Answers and Explanations

CHAPTER 16: THE FEDERAL BUDGET AND ECONOMIC POLICIES

The Budget

Creating the Budget--Needs and Priorities

Types of Spending

Economic Policy Terms and Theories

Presidential Economic Programs

Federal Mandates and the Budget

Review Questions

Answers and Explanations

CHAPTER 17: DOMESTIC POLICY DEVELOPMENT

Introduction

Kinds of Policies

Grant Programs

The Basics of Policy DeveloPment

Review Questions

Answers and Explanations

CHAPTER 18: FOREIGN POLICY: MILITARY AND ECONOMIC

Introduction

The Rise of "Agreements" over Treaties

Helping the President

The Importance of Policy Decisions

Major Leaders in Foreign Poii cy

International Organizations Affecting Foreign Policy

Review Questions

Answers and Explanations

PART FOUR: PRACTICE TESTS

How to Take the Practice Tests

How to Compute Your Score

PRACTICE TEST 1

Answers and Explanations

PRACTICE TEST 2

Answers and Explanations

PART FIVE: AP U.S. GOVERNMENT &

POLITICS RESOURCES

Appendix 1: U.S. Presidents

Appendix 2: Unique Presidential Elections

Appendix 3: Major Election Shifts

Appendix 4: Chief Justices of the Supreme Court

Appendix 5: U.S. Federal Constitution

Appendix 6: A Guide for Teachers

GLOSSARY