(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).
The American Medical Association was established to promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health. The AMA is made up of delegates from every state and these delegates lobby to promote health in medicine. This group targets government policymakers such as the FDA and the HHS because of their connections to the human body and the betterment of overall medicine. The AMA targets policy-making institutions that can help regulate food and drug because these things closely relate to human health.
The AMA also targets groups that can impact the overall experience of doctor to patient care. Their goal is to improve the betterment of health services in medicine, so by targeting groups that have influence in the health services and the food and drug administration they can make a change to improve our nation's healthcare. Lastly the AMA looking to promote their cause would also look for a group with a diverse group of supporters to help further their goals in medicine.
Scoring Rubric: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/sg_gov_pol_us_99.up_7047.pdf
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Earth Day Bibiliography
"Watch film: A Fierce Green Fire." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 13 May 2014. <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/a-fierce-green-fire/watch-the-film/2924/>. This source is an interesting documentary on the environmental movement and centers around Earth Day. The film goes into the formation and early operation of the Sierra Club. Also they explore the world of whale poaching and those that fight to prevent it. The program provided a lot of compelling perspectives into the various groups involved in the environmental movement.Also the program looks into the research involving studies in climate change. Overall this program provides a lot of insight into those involved in the environmental movement.
""Save the Whales" 35th Anniversary." Greenpeace. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2014. <http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/news-and-blogs/campaign-blog/save-the-whales-35th-anniversary/blog/25978/>. This source is dedicated to the history of Greenpeace, an environmental group primarily focused on saving the whales. This article goes into the group's history and how they went up against big whaling ships in order to protect the sperm whales. The article also gives specific statistics on the now growing whale population thanks to Greenpeace. They also talk about the anniversary of Greenpeace's first anti-whaling expedition and how the founders of the company came to be where they are. This source provides a really interesting story about environmental fighting for what they believe in.
"National Geographic Freshwater 101: Pollution." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2014. <http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/freshwater/pollution/>. This goes in-depth about the process of water pollution. It also gives statistics about the quality of water supplies in various countries. Also facts about the amount of contaminated water in various countries is mentioned. The article also discusses how to get involved in preventing water pollution and other simple ways to prevent water pollution. Lastly the article discusses the importance of having access to clean and renewable water sources.
""Save the Whales" 35th Anniversary." Greenpeace. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2014. <http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/news-and-blogs/campaign-blog/save-the-whales-35th-anniversary/blog/25978/>. This source is dedicated to the history of Greenpeace, an environmental group primarily focused on saving the whales. This article goes into the group's history and how they went up against big whaling ships in order to protect the sperm whales. The article also gives specific statistics on the now growing whale population thanks to Greenpeace. They also talk about the anniversary of Greenpeace's first anti-whaling expedition and how the founders of the company came to be where they are. This source provides a really interesting story about environmental fighting for what they believe in.
"National Geographic Freshwater 101: Pollution." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2014. <http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/freshwater/pollution/>. This goes in-depth about the process of water pollution. It also gives statistics about the quality of water supplies in various countries. Also facts about the amount of contaminated water in various countries is mentioned. The article also discusses how to get involved in preventing water pollution and other simple ways to prevent water pollution. Lastly the article discusses the importance of having access to clean and renewable water sources.
Essay 18- Election media
(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.
In today's election systems, the media plays an important role in shaping the public perception of a presidential candidate. As the media covers an election, their coverage becomes centered around the candidate. They cover their candidate's past and discuss how the candidate's past mistakes will impact their future. They create scandals involving the candidates just to stir up some media attention. Also during election seasons, the media runs nothing but coverage of the election making a difficult event to avoid. The media will also cover candidates at the conventions for each political party.
When it comes to media attention, the presidential candidates have also been known to stroke the fire a bit to promote their campaign. For example a presidential candidate will buy airtime to show an ad that not only endorses their own campaign, but also dirties their opponents. Also candidates will seek campaign funding while promoting their campaign. This contributes to a very candidate centric area of election coverage by the media.
The candidate centric election coverage is due to the self promotion of their campaigns by the candidates and by the media covering the election.
Scoring Rubric: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/sg_gov_pol_us_99.up_7047.pdf
In today's election systems, the media plays an important role in shaping the public perception of a presidential candidate. As the media covers an election, their coverage becomes centered around the candidate. They cover their candidate's past and discuss how the candidate's past mistakes will impact their future. They create scandals involving the candidates just to stir up some media attention. Also during election seasons, the media runs nothing but coverage of the election making a difficult event to avoid. The media will also cover candidates at the conventions for each political party.
When it comes to media attention, the presidential candidates have also been known to stroke the fire a bit to promote their campaign. For example a presidential candidate will buy airtime to show an ad that not only endorses their own campaign, but also dirties their opponents. Also candidates will seek campaign funding while promoting their campaign. This contributes to a very candidate centric area of election coverage by the media.
The candidate centric election coverage is due to the self promotion of their campaigns by the candidates and by the media covering the election.
Scoring Rubric: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/sg_gov_pol_us_99.up_7047.pdf
Friday, May 9, 2014
Essay 17- Bureaucracy
The merit system is a way of selecting judges in 17 states. The governor appoints the judge from a recommended group of people. Then the appointed judge serves a short term, after which voters determine whether or not the judge will serve a lengthy term.
This ties into the structure of the federal bureaucracy. Which is a structure of authority that uses task specialization while governing other states. The structure of the federal bureaucracy can lead to issues in public policy. As the government controls the distribution of the population's beliefs about politics and policy issues. The president and congress cannot manage everything, this way they are able to delegate to the bureaucracy.
Congress, court systems and interest groups all have powers that can be used to regulate bureaucracy. Congress has the power to impeach executive officials and to reject presidential proposals of bureaucratic appointments. While the court systems can limit bureaucratic practice with court rulings. Also with judicial review, the courts can declare bureaucratic actions unconstitutional. Lastly interest groups can regulate bureaucracy through litigation and use of the first amendment.
Scoring Rubric:
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap10_us_govt_politics_scoring_guidelines.pdf
This ties into the structure of the federal bureaucracy. Which is a structure of authority that uses task specialization while governing other states. The structure of the federal bureaucracy can lead to issues in public policy. As the government controls the distribution of the population's beliefs about politics and policy issues. The president and congress cannot manage everything, this way they are able to delegate to the bureaucracy.
Congress, court systems and interest groups all have powers that can be used to regulate bureaucracy. Congress has the power to impeach executive officials and to reject presidential proposals of bureaucratic appointments. While the court systems can limit bureaucratic practice with court rulings. Also with judicial review, the courts can declare bureaucratic actions unconstitutional. Lastly interest groups can regulate bureaucracy through litigation and use of the first amendment.
Scoring Rubric:
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap10_us_govt_politics_scoring_guidelines.pdf
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Essay 16- Partisanship
Over the Past several decades, the voting patterns of the average American has changed quite a bit. Since 1940 the amount of southern Americans voting for republican congressional candidates has continuously gone down.
It has been a continuing trend, that southern voters elect democratic candidates to Congress more frequently then for the presidency. This is due to the advantage of incumbency, as voters are more likely to reelect a proven Congressman then to take a chance on an unproven president. Also the differences between state and national parties play an important role. The individual state parties are less likely to support a democratic president then their national party counterparts.
As the composition of our political parties change, so does the composition of groups effected by the political shifts. Women have become more reliable democratic voters, while the nation's catholic population has become less reliable democratic voters. Lastly there trend of change is supported by the shift of social conservatives from democratic to consistent republicans.
rubric link: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap10_us_govt_politics_scoring_guidelines.pdf
Monday, April 21, 2014
Essay 15- Federal Agencies
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.
Currently, our government allows Federal bureaucratic agencies the ability to execute federal law. There are many benefits to this. For example, by allowing Federal bureaucratic agencies to execute federal law, it lets the agencies give their expertise and judgement that the government just couldn't give. Also it frees up time for the government to focus on more pressing issues and is very efficient.
An example of a bureaucratic agency is the EPA. THE EPA is centered around protecting the environment and managing the disposal of waste and chemical pollution. One example of the EPA exercising it's abilities in federal law would the Water Pollution Control Act of 1972.In this act, the EPA regulated the discharge of waste into water sources.
In order for Congress to ensure that federal agencies follow legislative intent, Congress can perform investigations into the agency's conduct. Also Congress can check the agency's budget and see what they have been spending their funding, to make everything checks out.
Scoring Rubric link: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/_ap06_gopo_us_sg.pdf
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Essay 14- Entitlement
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.
Since the formation of social welfare and entitlement programs, it has been a huge expense to our economic system as a country. Entitlement programs are government benefits that certain qualified individuals are entitled to by law, regardless of need. The purpose of programs like this is to provide relief to those who need help to make ends meet or to those who are entitled.
As social securities and welfare continue to be a factor in the budget of every American, it becomes even more important to consider it's lasting availability. The trend of people relying on their social security may not be an option in the future, as our government will not be able to afford to pay everyone's benefits. Another trend of the graph shows that as spending has increased, the amount of money available for social security has gone down.
The current trend is to rely primarily on social security after retirement. If the age requirement for social security went up, people would have to wait to take out social security and might learn not to rely on it as much. This would also help the government and make them able to cover everyone's social security benefits.
Rubric: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/_ap06_gopo_us_sg.pdf
(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.
Since the formation of social welfare and entitlement programs, it has been a huge expense to our economic system as a country. Entitlement programs are government benefits that certain qualified individuals are entitled to by law, regardless of need. The purpose of programs like this is to provide relief to those who need help to make ends meet or to those who are entitled.
As social securities and welfare continue to be a factor in the budget of every American, it becomes even more important to consider it's lasting availability. The trend of people relying on their social security may not be an option in the future, as our government will not be able to afford to pay everyone's benefits. Another trend of the graph shows that as spending has increased, the amount of money available for social security has gone down.
The current trend is to rely primarily on social security after retirement. If the age requirement for social security went up, people would have to wait to take out social security and might learn not to rely on it as much. This would also help the government and make them able to cover everyone's social security benefits.
Rubric: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/_ap06_gopo_us_sg.pdf
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