20.21 APG Unit 4 - The Executive Branch & The Bureaucracy

Formal Powers

The powers explicitly granted to political actors according to the Constitution or in the law, such as being able to veto legislation and to appoint heads of cabinet departments.

Informal Powers

Powers not directly granted by law or the Constitution

Executive Agreement

A formal agreement between the U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that does not require Senate approval.

Executive Order

a rule or order issued by the president that has the force of law.

Veto

Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature

Pocket Veto

an indirect veto of a legislative bill by the president by not signing a bill into law until it is too late for it to be dealt with during the legislative session.

Signing Statement

a presidential document that reveals what the president thinks of a new law and how it ought to be enforced

Executive Privilege

The power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security.

Presidential Appointments

the power of the U.S. President to choose members of his or her cabinet, ambassadors to other nations, and other officials in his or her administration

Senate Confirmation

the process outlined in Article Two of the Constitution, giving the Senate the authority to approve appointments made by the president

State of the Union Address

The president's annual statement to Congress and the nation.

Bully Pulpit

the president's use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public

Cabinet

Advisory council for the president consisting of the heads of the executive departments, the vice president, and a few other officials selected by the president.

Bureaucracy

A system of managing government through departments run by appointed officials

Civil Service

A system of hiring and promotion based on the merit principle and the desire to create a nonpartisan government service.

Iron Triangle

A close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group

Issue Network

Relationships among interest groups, congressional committees and subcommittees, and the government agencies that share a common policy concern.

Merit System

hiring people into government jobs on the basis of their qualifications

Patronage

Granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support

Discretionary Authority

The extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of action and make policies that are not spelled out in advance by laws.

Rule Making Authority

the power of an executive agency to issue regulations that carry the force of law