Ap Gov Chapter 1 Study Guide
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCING GOVERNMENT IN AMERICA
CHAPTER OUTLINE
I. Introduction: Politics and Government Matter (pp. 3–8)
A. Many Americans are apathetic about politics and government.
B. Political knowledge fosters civic virtues, educates citizens on policy, and promotes participation.
C. Voter turnout among the youth is lower than any other group.
II. Government (pp. 8–9)
A. The institutions that make authoritative decisions for any given society are collectively known as government.
B. Two fundamental questions about governing serve as themes of this book.
1. How should we govern?
2. What should government do?
C. All national governments have certain functions in common:
1. Governments maintain national defense.
2. Governments provide public services called public goods.
3. Governments preserve order.
4. Governments socialize the young.
5. Governments collect taxes.
III. Politics (pp. 9–10)
A Politics determines whom we select as our governmental leaders and what policies they pursue.
B. The ways in which people get involved in politics make up their political participation. C. Single-issue groups are so concerned with one issue that their members will cast their votes on the basis of that issue only.
IV. The Policymaking System (pp. 10–13)
A. People Shape Policy
1. The policymaking system is the process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time. (See Figure 1.4)
2. Political parties, elections, interest groups, and the media are key linkage institutions that transmit the preferences of Americans to the policymakers in government.
3. The policy agenda consists of the issues that attract the serious attention of public officials and other people actively involved in politics at a given time. 4. A political issue arises when people disagree about a problem or about a public policy choice made to fix a problem.
5. Policymakers work within the three policymaking institutions (the
Congress, the presidency, and the
INTRODUCING GOVERNMENT IN AMERICA
CHAPTER OUTLINE
I. Introduction: Politics and Government Matter (pp. 3–8)
A. Many Americans are apathetic about politics and government.
B. Political knowledge fosters civic virtues, educates citizens on policy, and promotes participation.
C. Voter turnout among the youth is lower than any other group.
II. Government (pp. 8–9)
A. The institutions that make authoritative decisions for any given society are collectively known as government.
B. Two fundamental questions about governing serve as themes of this book.
1. How should we govern?
2. What should government do?
C. All national governments have certain functions in common:
1. Governments maintain national defense.
2. Governments provide public services called public goods.
3. Governments preserve order.
4. Governments socialize the young.
5. Governments collect taxes.
III. Politics (pp. 9–10)
A Politics determines whom we select as our governmental leaders and what policies they pursue.
B. The ways in which people get involved in politics make up their political participation. C. Single-issue groups are so concerned with one issue that their members will cast their votes on the basis of that issue only.
IV. The Policymaking System (pp. 10–13)
A. People Shape Policy
1. The policymaking system is the process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time. (See Figure 1.4)
2. Political parties, elections, interest groups, and the media are key linkage institutions that transmit the preferences of Americans to the policymakers in government.
3. The policy agenda consists of the issues that attract the serious attention of public officials and other people actively involved in politics at a given time. 4. A political issue arises when people disagree about a problem or about a public policy choice made to fix a problem.
5. Policymakers work within the three policymaking institutions (the
Congress, the presidency, and the