FRQ # 20

The NAACP is a prominent interest group that is fairly effective at achieving policy-reform by targeting national level institutions. In this case, the Judicial Branch is used by the NAACP to achieve their goals. A resource that this interest group uses is a large population. This helps show the Judicial Branch that it is not a small decision they are making that would only affect a few; instead it is a substantial, historically subjugated, number of people. Also, more amicus curiae briefs can be filed by individuals outlining the effect of certain policies on their lives. The NAACP can also use media to its advantage. Through publicized statements and goals, more people sympathize with their goal and can put public pressure on the Judicial Branch to make use the power of judicial review.





(1999_2)National interest groups often target national-level policymaking institutions to achieve their policy objectives.

Select one of the following national interest groups.
- AARP
- AMA (Medical Association
- NAACP
- NAM (national assoc. of Manufacturers)

For the group you selected do each of the following.
- a identify one major national-level policymaking institution that this group targets.
- b describe one resource or characteristic of the group you have chosen and explain how it influences the choice of the target you have identified in (a)
- c describe another resource or characteristic of the group you have chosen and explain how it influences the choice of the target you have identified in (a).

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/sg_gov_pol_us_99.up_7047.pdf

FRQ #19

In recent decades, the candidate behind the presidential race has become more of the focal point of the campaign rather than the party and policy. Media has contributed to this by focusing on the personality of the presidential candidate and moving away from policy discussion. It has also moved put emphasis on the candidate's personal history and background, not simply his political past. The constant scrutiny of the individual and his/her appeal to the public is broadcast more frequently in public opinion polls, news, talk shows etc. Presidential candidates have formed strategies to use this new campaign system by engaging in negative ads. Anything and everything that can be used to discredit the opposition is used, both personal and professional to undermine their position, credibility, and like ability. Because of this emphasis on image, candidates also bolster how they are perceived.  Talk shows, emphasis on positive characteristics, public philanthropy and other tactics can be used in the media to improve image. This perpetuates the media focus on the individual and not the politics.



(1999_1)In the 1990’s presidential election campaigns have become more candidate centered and less focused on issues and party labels. The change has been attributed both to how the media cover presidential campaigns and to how candidates use the media. Identify and explain two ways in which the media have contributed to candidate-centered presidential campaigns. Identify and explain two ways in which presidential candidates’ use of the media has contributed to candidate-centered campaigns.

Your answer should not include a discussion of presidential primary elections.

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/sg_gov_pol_us_99.up_7047.pdf

FRQ 18

As shown by the graph provided, the percent of southern seats in the House of Representatives held by Democrats has decreased over time. The support for Democrats in the House declined slower that support for Democrats in the presidency because representatives had the incumbency advantage of experience, name recognition, and campaign funding. Southerners voted for the incumbent consistently.  Also Democrats in Congress wanted to protect their southern seats so they gerrymandered through packing and cracking. Women have become more reliable Democratic voters in the past few decades, reinforcing the Democratic bloc, while Catholics and labor union members have become less reliable Democratic voters, potentially strengthening the Republican bloc.

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap10_us_govt_politics_scoring_guidelines.pdf

3. Over the last several decades, the composition of the Democratic and Republican parties has changed in important ways. A major partisan shift has occurred in the South, but other demographic changes have also been identified. Changes in party composition are reflected at different rates in presidential elections than in congressional elections.

(a) Identify one specific trend evident in the figure above.

(b) Choose two of the following and use each to explain why southern voters from 1948 to 2000 were electing Democratic candidates to Congress more frequently than choosing Democratic candidates for the presidency.

• Incumbency advantage • Gerrymandering • Differences between state and national parties

(c) Several other changes in party composition have emerged in the past few decades. Select three of the following groups and for each explain how parties have changed in composition with respect to that group.

• Catholics • Labor union members • Women • Social conservatives

FRQ 17

The merit system in bureaucracy rewards those who perform well and have relevant experience and works on a series of placement tests. Bureaucracies are able to operate fairly independently because many of the positions are appointed for long periods of time and employees are difficult to fire. They are large and require a high level of expertise, making it even more difficult for the government to exert much influence. Also, since bureaucracies operate on the merit system, incompetence or lack of knowledge is out of the question. Policy is complicated so Congress doesn't have time dwell on the details so it delegates to bureaucracies. The expertise allows bureaucrats to fill in the policy gaps. Congress can check the bureaucracy through the confirmation, or lack, of appointments. The courts hold the power of judicial review to check bureaucracy and interest can express their support or opposition of policies through the media, putting public pressure on the bureaucracies.

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap10_us_govt_politics_scoring_guidelines.pdf

2. The federal bureaucracy as part of the executive branch exercises substantial independence in implementing governmental policies and programs. Most workers in the federal bureaucracy are civil-service employees who are organized under a merit system.

(a) Describe one key characteristic of the merit system. 

(b) For each of the following, describe one factor that contributes to bureaucratic independence.

• The structure of the federal bureaucracy

• The complexity of public policy problems 

(c) For each of the following, explain one Constitutional provision that it can use to check the bureaucracy.

• Congress • The courts • Interest groups

FRQ 16

Congress gives federal agencies policy making discretion because they do not want to be the victims of backlash if the policy is ill-received. Also, Congress does not want to devote time to the long process of implementing policies. The Federal Communications Commission controls much of communications and media such as television, radio, and telephone lines. The FCC exercises that discretion by issuing licenses and to companies and restricting inappropriate content for audiences. The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for air, water, and other natural resources. The EPA ensures companies are not operating environmentally harmful procedures such as dumping waste into a river. Congress ensures that federal agencies follow legislative intent by controlling each agency's budget and forming oversight committees.


http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/_ap06_gopo_us_sg.pdf

2006-3 The United States congress and the president together have the power to enact federal law. Federal bureaucratic agencies have the responsibility to execute federal law. However, in the carrying out of these laws, federal agencies have policy making discretion.
(1) Explain two reasons why Congress gives federal agencies policy making discretion in executing federal laws.
(2) Choose one of the bureaucratic agencies listed below. Identify the policy area over which it exercises policy-making discretion and give one specific example of how it exercises that discretion.
a. Environmental Protection Agency
b. Federal Communications Commission
c. Federal Reserve board
(3) Describe two ways in which Congress ensures that federal agencies follow legislative intent.

FRQ 15

An entitlement program is one that all people qualify for regardless of need. THe primary source of revenue for the Social Security program is income taxes. As the population grows, the average age increases so there are more people on Social Security. The graph indicates that the pay out of Social Security will soon exceed the pay in, meaning that the people receiving Social Security will be greater than those paying taxes into Social Security and the program will run out of money. Age expectancy is longer and birthrates are down, causing the American population to become older overall. If the eligibility for Social Security were raised, then less people would be eligible for the benefit, thus decreasing the load put on the younger population, extending the depth of the reserve.


http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/_ap06_gopo_us_sg.pdf


2006-2 In recent decades, entitlement programs have constituted a substantial portion of the United States federal budget. Social Security is the largest entitlement program in the US. From the information in the chart above, and your knowledge of the US government and politics, perform the following tasks.
(a) define entitlement program
(b) What is the primary source of revenue for the Social Security program
(c) Identify one threat to the future of the Social security program should the trends depicted in the chart continue
(d) Describe on demographic trend that threatens the future of the Social Security program and explain how it is responsible for the threat that you identified in (c )
(e) Explain how any one of the trends in the chart above would change if the age of eligibility for social security were raised.