Unit 2: Interactions Among Branches of Government

Browse slides from the stream 'Interaction Among Branches Review.'

Interaction Among Branches Review - Stream Slides

May 6 2020

In this unit, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how the three branches of federal government work together to implement policy and, at the same time, limit each others' powers. We'll cover how each branch has powers that allow it to function independently and powers to prevent other branches from becoming too powerful.

2.0 Unit 2 Overview: Interactions Among Branches of Government

55:00

Review and Application of Iron Triangles and Issue Networks

We'll look at just exactly what iron triangles and issue networks are and give contemporary examples of each.

Apr 1 2020

• 81 views

Browse slides from the stream 'Review and Application of Iron Triangles and Issue Networks.'

Review and Application of Iron Triangles and Issue Networks - Stream Slides

Apr 1 2020

1:01:18

A Review of the Legislative and Judicial Branches

We’ll spend time on all of the must know legislative and judicial branch facts and difficult terms (bill of attainder 🤔), and we’ll practice using the 2018 AP® US Government Released Practice Exam Concept Application Question #1.

Feb 5 2020

• 1.1k views

50:44

Selection and Nomination of Federal Judges

Presidents have the responsibility to appoint all Federal judges, but the process of doing so is complicated and full of lots of political processes. We'll look at how presidents select nominees and the process of getting them on the bench.

Oct 25 2019

• 50 views

Browse slides from the stream 'Selection and Nomination of Federal Judges.'

Selection and Nomination of Federal Judges - Slides

Oct 25 2019

Browse slides from the stream 'The Role and Functions of the US Supreme Court.'

The Role and Functions of the US Supreme Court - Slides

Oct 22 2019

32:12

The Role and Functions of the US Supreme Court

We'll look at what exactly is the Supreme Court, what it does, how its decisions work, and the impact it has on our country.

Oct 22 2019

• 76 views

40:08

The Federal Budget

The Federal Budget can seem like a daunting thing to understand. In this stream we'll dive into just what the Federal Budget is, the calendar associated with it, how it's developed, and what it looks like in real life. Ever heard of those words like the deficit or debt ceiling? We'll hit on those too!

Oct 18 2019

• 54 views

Browse slides from the stream 'The Federal Budget.'

The Federal Budget - Slides

Oct 18 2019

Browse slides from the stream 'Bureaucracy: Cabinet, Independent Executive Agencies, Government Corporations and Regulatory Commissions.'

Bureaucracy: Cabinet, Independent Executive Agencies, Government Corporations and Regulatory Commissions - Slides

Oct 17 2019

22:02

Bureaucracy: Cabinet, Independent Executive Agencies, Government Corporations and Regulatory Commissions

We'll dive into the four different types of organizations under the federal bureaucracy, look at how they operate, and give you specific examples of each one.

Oct 17 2019

• 165 views

Browse slides from the stream 'Checks on Presidential Power.'

Checks on Presidential Power - Slides

Oct 9 2019

57:02

Checks on Presidential Power

The presidency, though a powerful position, does not have ultimate power. In this stream we'll dive into the checks on the president's class.

Oct 9 2019

• 218 views

Browse slides from the stream 'Roles of the President.'

Roles of the President - Stream Slides

Oct 8 2019

27:06

Roles of the President

Unlike other world leaders, the POTUS has many different roles that he is responsible for carrying out. In this stream we'll look at each of those roles and why they matter.

Oct 8 2019

• 941 views

Browse slides from the stream 'Bill to Law Process.'

Bill to Law Process - Stream Slides

Oct 2 2019

40:24

Bill to Law Process

In this stream, you will learn about the process of how a bill becomes a law, and all the ways in which that bill can be "killed" along the way!

Oct 2 2019

• 47 views

1:04:04

Congress: The House vs the Senate

We'll explore the differences between the House of Representative and Senate including how their powers, structure, and leadership differ.

Sep 28 2019

• 136 views

Browse slides from the stream 'Congress: The House vs the Senate.'

Congress: The House vs the Senate - Slides

Sep 28 2019

Browse slides from the stream 'Congress: The Committee System.'

Congress: The Committee System - Slides

Sep 25 2019

48:20

Congress: The Committee System

We'll dive into the committee system of Congress, looking at the different types of committees and examples. We'll look at prominent examples of committees in Congress and the staff that helps these committees to function.

Sep 25 2019

• 48 views

Congress is the bicameral legislature that writes the laws for the nation. It is made up of the House of Representatives which has 435 members and the Senate which has 100 members.

2.1 Congress

Mar 17 2020

Delegated powers require both houses of Congress to work with each other. These powers are the powers to:

2.2 Structures, Powers, and Functions of Congress

Mar 16 2020

7 min read

Representatives represent their constituents, obviously.

2.3 Congressional Behavior

Mar 16 2020

In this section, we will start discussing the executive branch, which is outlined in Article II of the Constitution. The key person here? The President of the United States. The powers outlined here for the executive branch are not as specific as those for the legislative branch, but there are some things the President can do!

2.4 Roles and Power of the President

3 min read

As you know by now, checks and balances are a huge theme in AP US Government and Politics. It is essential that you understand these in detail before you enter the exam session! In this section, we will discuss some checks on the Presidency.

2.5 Checks on the Presidency

We have discussed several powers of the presidency already, but the powers that the President currently has is far beyond those described in the Constitution. This expansion of powers - both formal and informal - has been justified by presidents. 🦾

2.6 Expansion of Presidential Power

Modern technology has redefined the way in which the President interacts with citizens as well as other branches of government.

2.7 Presidential Communication

The judicial branch is the 3rd branch of government and is outlined in Article III of the Constitution. Other key foundations of judicial branch power include one of the foundational documents, Federalist No. 78, along with the case Marbury v. Madison.

2.8 The Judicial Branch

In section 2.9, we will explore how the judicial branch aims to stay independent, and the concepts of precedent and stare decisis, as well as the confirmation process for judges.

2.9 Legitimacy of the Judicial Branch

When the Supreme Court's decisions are controversial or unpopular, the other branches may question the Court's legitimacy and take actions to curb its influence. Every year, the Supreme Court hands down decisions on cases that affect the lives of millions of people. It strikes down laws that elected members of Congress enacted 🙅‍♀️, often with the clear mandate of their constituents. Or, conversely, the Court might uphold a law—perhaps one enacted by the legislature of a small state—that the majority of Americans dislike.

2.10 The Court in Action

Mar 17 2020

Two key characteristics of the Supreme Court—its practice of judicial review, and its Justices’ life tenure—can lead to debate over the legitimacy of the Court’s power, as well as attempts by the other branches to challenge and limit that power.

2.11 Checks on the Judicial Branch

The bureaucracy is a large and complex system of administration consisting of appointed officials. It features a hierarchical authority structure, job specialization, and established rules and procedures. The Bureaucracy implements, administers, regulates policies, issues fines, and testifies before Congress. It has Commissions, Departments, and government corporations to carry out its duties.

2.12 The Bureaucracy

3 min read

After the president signs a bill into law or issues an executive order, the federal bureaucracy is responsible for implementing that policy. However, some laws may lack clear, concrete details on how they should be enacted.

2.13 Discretionary and Rule-Making Authority

Congress revises statutes that establish the agency's mission 📝, exercises control over an agency's budget, and conducts audits or holds hearings, and influences the selection of agency directors (Senatorial Confirmation).

2.14 Holding the Bureaucracy Accountable

Each branch of the government has different powers, structures, and functions by design.

2.15 Policy and the Branches of Government