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Electorate

The people in a country or area who are entitled to vote in an election.

Treaty

An international agreement between two or more states regarding peace, alliance, commerce, or other international relations.

Signing authority of a treaty

A treaty is signed by the president but must be approved by the Senate.

State of the Union

A speech by the president given to both chambers of Congress summarizing the country.

Bureaucracy

A large, complex administrative structure that handles the everyday business of an organization.

Independent Agency

An additional agency outside of cabinet departments that specializes in certain functions.

Examples of Independent Agencies

NASA, SSA, EPA.

Independent Regulatory Commission

Agencies with an economic focus, outside of regular cabinet departments.

Examples of Independent Regulatory Commissions

FCC, FRB, SEC.

Government Corporation

A government agency that operates like a business.

Examples of Government Corporations

USPS, Amtrak.

Department

Agencies of cabinet level rank; all cabinet departments.

Hierarchical Authority

An organization structured like a pyramid with a chain of command from top to bottom.

Job Specialization

Each person in an organization has specific duties and responsibilities.

Division of Labor

The assignment of different parts of a manufacturing process or task to different people.

Executive Order

A rule or order issued by the president to the executive branch of government with the force of law.

Law without legislative branch

An executive order acts as a law without going through Congress.

Chief Citizen

The president as the representative of the people of the USA.

Chief of State

The president as the ceremonial face of the nation, involved in domestic and foreign affairs.

Chief Executive

The president acts as the boss of federal government departments.

Commander in Chief

The president is in charge of the armed forces.

Economic Chief

The president is expected to help the economy run smoothly.

Chief Legislator

The president is the main architect of national public policy.

Chief Diplomat

The president conducts foreign policy and meets with government officials.

Chief of Party

The president helps elect members of their party and is the party leader.

Formal qualifications of the President

Must be 35 years old, a natural born citizen, and reside in the US for 14 years.

Salary of the President

The president earns $400,000, with a $50,000 expense allowance; salary cannot change during term.

Presidential Terms

A president may serve a maximum of 2 terms as established by the 22nd Amendment.

Reason for 22nd Amendment

FDR was elected to four terms, prompting the amendment.

Presidential Succession

The 25th Amendment governs presidential succession in case of disability.

First 5 in line of Presidential Succession

VP, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore, Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury.

War Powers Resolution

This law limits the president’s war-making powers after the Vietnam War.

Undeclared Wars

Examples include Vietnam, Korea, and Iraq.

Foreign Policy Goals

National security, promote peace, spread democracy, promote trade, and provide aid.

NA TO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance for peaceful relations post-WW2.

USMCA

United States Mexico Canada Agreement that promotes free trade in North America.

UN

United Nations, an organization aimed at maintaining peace and security.

Job of the Vice President

Formal responsibilities include being President of the Senate and acting in cases of presidential disability.

Cabinet Departments

Executive departments serving as top advisors to the president.

Approval of Cabinet Appointments

Cabinet appointments must be approved by the Senate.

Features of a Bureaucracy

Includes hierarchical authority, job specialization, and formalized rules.

Checks and Balances of Executive Branch

Ensure no single branch of government becomes too powerful.

Purpose of Executive Orders

Allow the president to push through agenda and policies without waiting for Congress.