zuai-logo

Interactions Among Branches of Government

Anna Garcia

Anna Garcia

9 min read

Listen to this study note

Study Guide Overview

This AP US Government study guide covers the three branches of government (legislative, executive, judicial), including their powers, interactions, and checks and balances. Key concepts include judicial review, bureaucracy, and the legislative process. Important Supreme Court cases like Marbury v. Madison, Shaw v. Reno, and Baker v. Carr are also reviewed. Finally, the guide examines bureaucratic power and its limitations.

AP US Government: Ultimate Study Guide 🚀

Welcome to your final review! This guide is designed to help you ace the AP US Government exam. Let's make sure you're confident and ready to go!

Unit 2: The Branches of Government 🏛️

This unit focuses on the powers and interactions of the three branches of the U.S. government: legislative, executive, and judicial. We'll also explore the role of the bureaucracy and how checks and balances maintain a balance of power.

Key Concepts

  • Constitutional Powers: Each branch has specific powers outlined in the Constitution, but also exercises informal powers.
  • Checks and Balances: The branches must compete and cooperate to govern, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Key Concept
  • Bureaucracy: The executive branch's bureaucracy implements policy and wields significant power not explicitly granted in the Constitution.

Required Documents

Supreme Court Cases

  • Shaw v. Reno (1993): Racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional.
  • Marbury v. Madison (1803): Established judicial review.
  • Baker v. Carr (1962): “One person, one vote” principle; courts can hear redistricting cases.
Quick Fact

The Legislative Branch: Congress 🏛️

Structure

  • Bicameral Legislature: Congress is divided into two houses:

    • House of Representatives: 435 members, based on state population, reapportioned every 10 years. Entire House elected every two years.
    • Senate: 100 members, two from each state. Senators serve six-year terms, with 1/3 up for re-election every two years.

  • Redistricting & Gerrymandering: State legislatures redraw district lines every 10 years. Gerrymandering gives an advantage to the majority party.

Common Mistake
  • Baker v. Carr: Courts can hear redistricting cases.
    • Shaw v. Reno: Racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional.

markdown-image

Powers

  • Article I, Section 8: Congress's enumerated powers include taxing, declaring war, regulating commerce, and more.
  • Power of the Purse: Congress controls funding and government spending.
    • House: Initiates tax and spending bills.
    • Senate: Confirms presidential appointments and ratifies treaties.

Lawmaking Process

  • Slow and Decentralized: Designed for thoughtful lawmaking and compromise. Most bills die in committee.
  • Committee System: Where the bulk of work happens. Bills are debated and amended.
  • House Leadership:
    • Speaker of the House: Controls debate, assigns rules, and controls the Rules Committee.
    • Majority and Minority Leaders & Whips: Assist in party strategy.
  • Senate Leadership:
    • President Pro Tempore: Presides in VP's absence.
    • Majority Leader: Controls bill debate and committee assignments.
  • Filibusters: Senators can talk a bill to death. Requires 60 votes for cloture to end a filibuster.
  • Pork Barrel Legislation: Funding for local projects (earmarks). Brings home the bacon! 🥓
  • Conference Committee: Reconciles House and Senate versions of a bill.
  • Presidential Action: Signs or vetoes bills. Pocket veto if Congress adjourns.

Congressional Behavior

  • Models of Representation:
    • Delegate Model: Vote based on constituents' wishes.
    • Trustee Model: Vote based on own judgment.
    • Politico Model: Combination of both.
  • Divided Government: Different parties control the executive and legislative branches, leading to gridlock.
Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

  1. Which of the following is a unique power held by the Senate? (A) Initiating tax bills (B) Confirming presidential appointments (C) Declaring war (D) Regulating commerce

  2. The practice of gerrymandering is most likely to result in which of the following? (A) Increased voter turnout (B) More competitive elections (C) Safe seats for incumbents (D) A more diverse representation in Congress

Free Response Question

Explain how the structure of Congress, including the committee system and leadership roles, impacts the policymaking process. Provide specific examples to support your answer.

Scoring Guidelines

  • 1 point: Explanation of the committee system and how it impacts policymaking (e.g., most bills die in committee).
  • 1 point: Explanation of leadership roles (e.g., Speaker of the House's control over the Rules Committee).
  • 1 point: Specific example of how the committee system or leadership roles impact policymaking (e.g., a bill being amended in committee, the Speaker controlling which bills reach the floor).

The Executive Branch: The Presidency 🫅

The Power of the Executive

  • Federalist No. 70: Advocates for a strong, unitary executive for quick and decisive action. 💡

markdown-image

Presidential Powers

  • Commander-in-Chief: Leads the military, but Congress declares war.
Key Concept
  • War Powers Act: Limits presidential power; requires Congressional notification and approval for troop deployments.
  • Treaties: Requires Senate confirmation. Presidents use executive agreements to bypass this.
  • Executive Orders: Manage the federal government without Congressional approval.
  • Appointments: Appoints Cabinet members, judges, and ambassadors (with Senate approval).
  • Bully Pulpit: President's ability to use media to influence public opinion and policy goals. Social media provides a direct outlet.
Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

  1. Which of the following best describes the concept of the "bully pulpit"? (A) The president's power to veto legislation. (B) The president's ability to use media to influence public opinion. (C) The president's role as commander-in-chief. (D) The president's ability to appoint judges.

  2. What is the primary purpose of the War Powers Act? (A) To expand the president's power to declare war. (B) To limit the president's power to deploy troops. (C) To give the president more control over the military budget. (D) To ensure that the president consults Congress before signing treaties.

Free Response Question

Explain how the President's use of executive orders and executive agreements can impact the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. Provide specific examples to support your answer.

Scoring Guidelines

  • 1 point: Explanation of executive orders and how they impact the balance of power (e.g., bypassing Congress).
  • 1 point: Explanation of executive agreements and how they impact the balance of power (e.g., bypassing Senate treaty ratification).
  • 1 point: Specific example of an executive order or executive agreement and its impact on the balance of power (e.g., an executive order on immigration, an executive agreement on trade).

The Judicial Branch: The Courts ⚖️

Structure

  • Three-Level System:
    • 94 District Courts
    • 13 Circuit Courts of Appeals
    • 1 Supreme Court
  • Federalist No. 78: Judges serve life terms to maintain independence.
Memory Aid

Think: 78 = Judges sit for life, it's their fate!

markdown-image

Powers and Principles

  • Judicial Review: Established by Marbury v. Madison; courts determine the constitutionality of actions by other branches. 💡
  • Stare Decisis: Courts follow precedent (previous court decisions).
  • Judicial Philosophies:
    • Judicial Restraint: Strict interpretation of the Constitution.
    • Judicial Activism: Courts protect rights even if not explicitly stated in the Constitution.

Checks on the Courts

  • Presidential appointments, legislation changing jurisdiction, modifying laws, amending the Constitution, and refusing to implement decisions.
Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

  1. The concept of judicial review was established in which Supreme Court case? (A) Shaw v. Reno (B) Baker v. Carr (C) Marbury v. Madison (D) McCulloch v. Maryland

  2. Which of the following best describes the principle of stare decisis? (A) The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional. (B) The practice of following precedent in judicial decisions. (C) The concept of judicial activism. (D) The idea that courts should strictly interpret the Constitution.

Free Response Question

Explain how the judicial philosophy of judicial restraint differs from judicial activism. Provide specific examples of how each philosophy might impact a court's decision in a case.

Scoring Guidelines

  • 1 point: Explanation of judicial restraint (e.g., strict interpretation of the Constitution).
  • 1 point: Explanation of judicial activism (e.g., courts protecting rights not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution).
  • 1 point: Specific example of how each philosophy might impact a court's decision (e.g., a judicial restraint court upholding a law, a judicial activism court striking down a law).

The Bureaucracy: The Fourth Branch? ⚙️

Role and Structure

  • Implements Laws: The bureaucracy carries out laws passed by Congress.
  • Civil Service: Merit-based system (Pendleton Act) prevents the spoils system.
  • Major Agencies:
    • Cabinet: 15 department heads.
    • Independent Regulatory Agencies: Regulate the economy.
    • Government Corporations: Provide services (e.g., USPS, Amtrak).

Bureaucratic Power

  • Discretionary Authority: Power to make decisions on how to implement laws. Creates rules and regulations.
Exam Tip

Remember: Bureaucracy = Rules and Regulations!

- **Iron Triangles:** Relationship between Congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups. - **Issue Networks:** Broader networks with multiple interest groups, committees, agencies, and other parties.

Checks on Bureaucracy

  • Congress: Controls budget, confirms appointments, holds oversight hearings.
  • President: Appoints directors, issues executive orders.
  • Courts: Can declare rule-making decisions unconstitutional.
Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

  1. Which of the following is the primary function of the bureaucracy? (A) To write laws. (B) To interpret laws. (C) To implement laws. (D) To declare laws unconstitutional.

  2. What is the purpose of the Pendleton Act? (A) To expand the spoils system. (B) To create a merit-based system for hiring bureaucrats. (C) To give the president more control over the bureaucracy. (D) To limit the discretionary authority of bureaucratic agencies.

Free Response Question

Explain how Congress, the President, and the Courts can each check the power of the bureaucracy. Provide specific examples of these checks in action.

Scoring Guidelines

  • 1 point: Explanation of how Congress checks the bureaucracy (e.g., controlling the budget, oversight hearings).
  • 1 point: Explanation of how the President checks the bureaucracy (e.g., appointing directors, issuing executive orders).
  • 1 point: Explanation of how the Courts check the bureaucracy (e.g., declaring rule-making decisions unconstitutional).

Final Exam Focus 🎯

High-Priority Topics

  • Checks and Balances: How each branch limits the power of the others.
  • Legislative Process: How a bill becomes a law, the role of committees, leadership, and filibusters.
  • Presidential Powers: Formal and informal powers, especially executive orders and agreements.
  • Judicial Review: The power of the courts to interpret the Constitution.
  • Bureaucratic Discretion: How agencies implement laws and make policy.

Common Question Types

  • Multiple Choice: Testing knowledge of specific powers, processes, and court cases.
  • Short Answer Questions: Explaining concepts and their impact on government.
  • Free Response Questions: Analyzing relationships between branches, evaluating the impact of policies, and applying concepts to real-world scenarios.

Last-Minute Tips

  • Time Management: Pace yourself; don't spend too long on any one question.
  • Common Pitfalls: Misunderstanding checks and balances, confusing different leadership roles, not using specific examples.
  • Strategies for Challenging Questions: Read questions carefully, identify keywords, and use your knowledge to make educated guesses.

You've got this! Go into the exam with confidence. You are well-prepared! 💪

Previous Topic - Required Founding DocumentsNext Topic - Congress: The Senate and the House of Representatives

Question 1 of 13

Ready to test your knowledge? 🤔 Which of these is a power uniquely held by the Senate?

Initiating tax bills

Confirming presidential appointments

Declaring war

Regulating commerce