Institutional Approach (Presidency)

How has the institution of the presidency changed over time?

The presidency has evolved from a relatively limited office focused on executing laws into a powerful institution that shapes policy, leads the national agenda, manages a large bureaucracy, and often acts independently through executive actions. Presidents now play a larger role in both domestic and foreign policy than the Constitution's framers originally envisioned.

Are changes in presidential power constitutional?

Supporters argue that many expansions are constitutional because Article II grants broad executive authority and presidents adapt to new challenges. Critics argue that some expansions stretch constitutional limits by allowing presidents to bypass Congress and exercise powers not explicitly granted by the Constitution.

Are expansions of presidential power democratic?

They can increase democratic responsiveness because presidents are nationally elected and can act quickly. However, they may also reduce democratic accountability by concentrating power in one individual and weakening checks and balances

How could the presidency be reformed to make it more pluralistic?

Possible reforms include strengthening congressional oversight, limiting executive orders, requiring greater transparency in executive actions, increasing public participation in policymaking, and restoring a stronger balance between the branches of government.

According to Garrett Epps, how has the presidency changed from the Founders' vision?

The Founders envisioned a relatively restrained executive whose primary role was to enforce laws. Over time, presidents have accumulated significant authority, becoming central political leaders who often shape policy and national priorities.

What factors have contributed to the evolution of the presidency?

Major factors include wars, economic crises, technological changes, expansion of federal responsibilities, public expectations for leadership, partisan polarization, and congressional gridlock.

How does a "new institutional approach" explain presidential evolution?

A new institutional approach argues that institutions change as political actors adapt to incentives and opportunities. Presidents expand power when circumstances allow, and successful uses of power often become accepted precedents for future presidents.

According to Howell, why has presidential power expanded?

Howell argues that presidents can take advantage of constitutional ambiguities and institutional opportunities to act unilaterally. Once presidents successfully exercise new powers, those powers often become normalized.

Are changes in presidential power more or less democratic?

They are both. Expanded power can help presidents respond quickly to public demands, but it can also reduce public influence by shifting decision-making away from Congress and toward a single executive.

How is the modern presidency different from the constitutional presidency imagined by the Federalists?

The Federalists envisioned a president who would administer government and enforce laws while Congress dominated policymaking. The modern president is often the chief policy initiator, party leader, media figure, and central actor in national politics.

What are the major sources of presidential power?

Constitutional powers, control of the executive branch, commander-in-chief authority, public support, political parties, media influence, executive orders, and the ability to shape the national agenda.

What is constitutional power?

Powers explicitly granted in Article II, such as vetoing legislation, appointing officials, negotiating treaties, and serving as commander-in-chief.

What is unilateral presidential power?

The ability of presidents to act without obtaining prior approval from Congress, often through executive orders, proclamations, directives, and administrative actions

Does Howell view presidential power as shared or unilateral?

Howell emphasizes unilateral power. He argues that presidents often have significant opportunities to act independently and shape policy without congressional approval.

How do Graham and Frum view presidential power?

Graham and Frum are more concerned about the dangers of concentrated presidential power and argue that weakening institutional constraints can threaten democratic governance.

Relative to Congress and the courts, is the presidency strong or weak?

The modern presidency is generally stronger than it was historically, especially in foreign policy and administration. However, Congress, courts, federalism, elections, and public opinion still impose important limits.

How has the relative strength of the presidency shifted over time?

Presidential power has generally increased, particularly during crises such as wars and economic emergencies. Congress has often delegated authority to the executive branch, contributing to presidential growth.

What is an executive order?

An executive order is a directive issued by the president that instructs executive branch officials on how to implement or enforce laws.

Why are executive orders important?

They allow presidents to shape policy without waiting for Congress to pass legislation, making them a key tool of unilateral action.

How do executive orders allow presidents to "move first and act alone"?

Presidents can issue executive orders immediately, creating policy changes that remain in effect unless Congress, the courts, or a future president overturns them.

Under what conditions are presidents most likely to use executive orders?

When Congress is gridlocked, controlled by the opposing party, slow to act, or unwilling to pass the president's preferred policies.

What are examples of recent executive orders?

Examples include executive actions on immigration, climate policy, student loan relief efforts, federal workforce policies, and regulatory changes. Specific examples vary across administrations.

What are the limitations of executive orders?

They cannot directly create new laws, must be based on existing constitutional or statutory authority, can be challenged in court, overridden by legislation, or reversed by future presidents.What is an autocracy?

What is an autocracy?

An autocracy is a system of government in which political power is concentrated in a single leader or small group with limited accountability and weak institutional constraints. It serves as a contrast to democratic systems built on checks and balances and shared power.

What evidence do the authors provide to suggest that President Trump was moving the president toward autocracy?

Graham does not primarily argue that Trump was creating an autocracy. Instead, he highlights how many conservatives who once opposed strong executive power became more accepting of it when Trump was president. The concern is that partisan loyalty can weaken consistent support for constitutional limits on presidential authority.

Why is the expansion of presidential power potentially consistent with authoritarianism?

When presidential power expands, more authority becomes concentrated in a single office. If citizens, political parties, or institutions fail to challenge those expansions consistently, presidents may face fewer constraints. Graham argues that accepting broad executive powers because they benefit a preferred president can make it easier for future presidents to exercise even greater authority..

What limits on presidential power remain in the United States?

Congress can pass legislation, control funding, conduct investigations, and impeach presidents. Courts can strike down executive actions that violate the Constitution or federal law. Elections, federalism, the media, and public opinion also serve as important checks on presidential authority.

What is the central debate about the modern presidency?

The central debate is whether the growth of presidential power has improved government effectiveness or undermined constitutional checks and balances. Epps shows how presidential power expanded beyond the Founders' expectations, Howell explains how presidents act independently through unilateral powers, and Graham raises concerns about inconsistent attitudes toward executive power based on partisan politics.

Grahm

The Stranges Thing About Trump’s Approach to Presidential Power Graham argues that Americans often judge presidential power through a partisan lens, supporting or opposing executive authority depending on who is president rather than on consistent constitutional principles.

Epps

The Founders’ Great Mistake

How does Graham's account differ from Howell's?

Howell explains how presidents can act unilaterally and why institutional conditions encourage them to do so. Graham focuses on the political inconsistency surrounding presidential power, arguing that many people support or oppose executive authority depending on which party controls the presidency.

Unilateral Actions (Howell)

Move first and act alone- executive orders, military actions, and executive agreements.

Howell

Howell challenges the traditional idea that presidents must persuade Congress to achieve their goals. Instead, he argues that presidents often exercise unilateral power, acting independently through executive orders, proclamations, and administrative actions.

Miroff

The Presidential Spectacle explores the performative aspects of the presidency, examining how presidents use media and public appearances to shape their image and influence public opinion.

What is Miroff’s concept of the “presidential spectacle”?

Miroff’s “presidential spectacle” refers to how modern presidents use media, imagery, and public performance to shape how they are perceived, turning the presidency into a highly visible and dramatized form of political leadership focused on communication and image-making.

How does the presidential spectacle change the nature of presidential power?

It shifts power from behind-the-scenes governance toward public persuasion and visibility. Presidents increasingly rely on media coverage, staged events, and communication strategies to build support and influence public opinion, sometimes independently of Congress.

How does Miroff’s idea connect to presidential power?

The spectacle strengthens presidential power by allowing presidents to bypass traditional institutions like Congress and appeal directly to the public, using visibility and persuasion as tools of influence.