A divided government is one in which the presidency and the Congress are controlled by different parties. This occurrence has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in the government because it has heightened partisanship and caused much policy gridlock due to two extreme sides and a decline of the middle position. There are strong voices on both sides, and therefore the system of checks and balances causes a back an forth cycle preventing anything from getting done quickly.
The increased cost of election campaigns has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in the government because it leads to the belief that candidates are spending more time raising money for their campaign expenses and less time on actual policy and matters of the people.
Two specific consequences of the decline of trust in government include less voter participation and more protesting. If citizens don't have faith in the people of their government, they are less likely to vote, and voting is the most important aspect of a democracy--it is how voices get heard. Similarly, if citizens believe they cannot rely on their government, it will lead to protests and chaos, demanding changes to be made.
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3) Trust and confidence in government have declined in recent decades.
(a) Explain how divided government has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in government. Be sure to include a definition of divided government in your response
(b) Explain how the increased cost of election campaigns has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in government.
(c) Explain two specific consequences of the decline in trust and confidence in government for individual political behavior.
http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/ap/students/govpol/ap04_sg_gopo_us.pdf
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