m12- POSC150

5;23

Does the constitution give more or less power to the president than the congress

Less

why is presidents claiming uthority not so important

All modern presidents claim authority, but the constitution gives them few formal powers and checks them at every turn

What powers does the constitution give the president

formal executive powers, inherent executive powers, legislative powers, and judicial powers

formal executvie powers - the president can..

carry out laws but only whatever laws congress writes, command military but can’t declare war or control funding, make international treaties if senate approves

what are inherent executive powers

powers that presidents say are implied by the text of Article II

examples of inherent executive powers

the power to wage “war” (implied by commander-in-chief text), make foreign policy (implied by receiving ambassadors text), and choose how to carry out laws (implied by “take care” text)

formal legislative powers- president can…

recommend laws to congress but congress free to ignore, and veto bills but congress can override that veto

formal judicial powers - the president can…

nominate judge but senate votes to appoint them, and pardon those accused of crimes except impeachment

persuading instituions

presidents figure out who DOES have formal power in the constituions and try to influence them by the power to persuade and going public

The power to persuade

President’s personal ability to convince others to cooperate with their agenda

Is the power to persuade enough?

Being persuasive isn’t enough because members of congress care more about their party and local constituencies

Going public

Appealing to voters directly, hoping they’ll put pressure on Members of congress

When does going public work?

only works if the president is popular with voters

executive orders

instructions for rest of executive branch on how to carry out a power that the constitution gives the president or congress delegated to the president in a law

however how is executive orders limited?

The interpretation of those powers is up to the courts and the next president might reverse all orders

what are the differences between separated and checked powers when it comes to partisanship?

When the same party controls all branches not much separation or checking, but when different parties control different branches lots of separation and checks