The American Presidency: Roles, Powers, and Limitations

Flashcards covering the roles, powers, limitations, and historical evolution of the American presidency based on lecture notes.

Bureaucratic Apparatus (Executive Branch)

The extensive network of government organizations and staff that comprise the executive branch, essential for the president to accomplish tasks.

Formal Requirements for President

Must be 35 years of age, a resident in the United States for 14 years, and a natural-born citizen.

22nd Amendment

Limits the President to two terms in office (eight years in total).

Informal Requirements for President

Typically requires experience at the upper echelons of government (e.g., Secretary of State, Vice President) or a high-ranking military position (e.g., General).

Four Key Roles of the President

Commander in Chief, Chief Diplomat, Chief Executive, and Head of Government/Head of State.

Commander in Chief

The president's role as the supreme commander of the military, having the final say in military decisions.

Chief Diplomat

The president's role in cultivating peaceful relationships with other countries, acting as the primary contact and negotiating agreements.

Chief Executive

The president's responsibility for enforcing laws made by Congress and ensuring their obedience.

Head of Government and Head of State

The president's ceremonial position at the top of the executive branch, overseeing rituals and pomp.

Congressional War Powers

Congress is the only branch formally able to declare war, though presidents have unilaterally initiated military action in most instances since WWII.

Presidential Interpretation of Law

The president has leeway in interpreting how laws will be enforced, especially when the law itself is ambiguous.

Presidential Power Expansion Reasons

National elections (president chosen by all, singular figure), unity, decisiveness, and the need for swift, energetic action in crises.

Limited President Theory

An early view that the president should primarily do what Congress wants and facilitate their legislative agenda.

Stewardship Theory

Theodore Roosevelt's theory advocating that the president can do anything not explicitly forbidden by the Constitution, regardless of Congress's wishes.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

The key organization holding the executive branch together, coordinating and supervising the vast staff that supports the president.

White House Office

A key unit within the EOP, consisting of the president's closest advisors, including top political advisors, press agents, and personal assistants.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

A key unit within the EOP, consisting of experts who examine and administer the federal budget.

National Security Council

A key unit within the EOP that focuses on military and national security affairs, advising the president.

National Economic Council

A key unit within the EOP that advises the president on economic policy.

Vice President's Role

Historically ceremonial with limited power, primarily to succeed the president in case of death; modern vice presidents have been given more substantive duties.

President of the Senate

A formal job of the Vice President, where their only significant power is to cast a tie-breaking vote.

Presidential Cabinet

A group of the heads of the executive departments (e.g., Department of Defense, Energy, Transportation) that advises the president and manages their respective agencies.

Presidential Appointees

More than 2,000 full-time officials appointed by the president, giving them control over the executive branch's structure, though these officials can be hard to control and may have divided loyalties.

Power to Persuade

Political scientist Richard Neustadt's conclusion that due to limited formal authority over Congress, the president's main power is the ability to persuade.

Unified Government

Occurs when the president's party controls both houses of Congress, leading to greater success in passing legislation.

Divided Government

Occurs when the president's party does not control one or both houses of Congress, making it more challenging to pass legislation.

Bully Pulpit

A term coined by Theodore Roosevelt, referring to the president's unique communication platform, which allows them to influence the national agenda and pressure Congress through public appeal.

Permanent Campaign

The ongoing use of campaign-like strategies (polls, rallies, media communication) by presidents to maintain public support and advance their policy agendas.

Veto

The president's power to reject a bill passed by Congress, preventing it from becoming law (though it can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in both chambers).

Executive Order

A directive issued by the president that tells the executive branch how to interpret and administer existing law; must be based on an actual law to be valid.

Executive Agreement

An agreement made between the president and another nation, similar to a treaty but requiring less congressional hassle, used to expand presidential influence in foreign policy.

Impeachment

The formal process by which Congress can remove a president from office for treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors; requires a majority vote in the House and a two-thirds vote in the Senate for conviction.

Budget Impoundment Control Act of 1974

Legislation that prevents the president from indefinitely withholding money that Congress has appropriated for specific programs.

War Powers Act

Requires the president to inform Congress of military actions within 48 hours and to provide information at a reasonable rate, though presidents often bypass or interpret it loosely.

Honeymoon Period

The initial months of a new president's term when Congress, the press, and the public are more willing to support their initiatives, leading to greater legislative success.