Executive Branch and Bureaucracy

A collection of vocabulary flashcards related to the Executive Branch and Bureaucracy, covering key terms and definitions.

Executive Branch

Branch responsible for enforcing laws.

Federalist No. 10

Federalist No. 10 is an essay written by James Madison, arguing that a large republic is the best form of government to control factions and prevent the tyranny of the majority. Madison contends that a strong, single executive is essential to enforce laws and make timely decisions, which helps to maintain stability and protect individual rights against majority rule and factionalism. He believes that the diversity of interests and opinions in a large republic would make it difficult for any single faction to dominate, thus fostering a more balanced and fair government. It emphasizes the need for a strong executive to enforce laws and control factions.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly granted by the Constitution.

Informal Powers

Unwritten powers used to fulfill presidential duties.

Chief Diplomat

President's role in shaping foreign policy.

Treaty

Agreement with a foreign government needing Senate approval.

State of the Union Address

Annual speech updating Congress on national affairs.

Veto

Formal rejection of a bill by the president.

Pocket Veto

Informal veto by not signing a bill.

Commander in Chief

President's role as head of the military.

Presidential Pardon

Authority to forgive legal consequences of crimes.

Executive Privilege

Right to keep certain communications confidential.

Executive Agreement

International agreement not requiring Senate ratification.

Signing Statement

Comments made by the president upon signing a bill.

Executive Orders

Policy directives issued by presidents that do not require congressional approval.

War Powers Resolution

Limits presidential military engagement without Congress.

Impeachment

Process to remove a president from office.

Cabinet

Advisory body to the president comprising department heads.

Bargaining Persuasion

Informal method used by the president to influence Congress members.

Bully Pulpit

Presidential appeals to the public to pressure other branches of government to support his policies.

Going Public

A tactic that presidents use to reach out directly to the people.

The Dream Act

Allows immigrants who come into the U.S. before age 16 to seek deferment on their deportation.

Bureaucrat

Official working within government bureaucracy.

Political Patronage

Filling positions based on support, not merit.

Pendleton Act

Established merit-based hiring for federal jobs.

Iron Triangle

Collaboration among bureaucracy, Congress, and interest groups.

Issue Network

Web of influence among policymakers and advocates.

Bureaucratic Discretion

Power to interpret laws during implementation.

Bureaucratic Adjudication

Settling disputes over federal law implementation.

Merit System

A system of hiring and promotion based on qualifications rather than politics.

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency.

FCC

Federal Communications Commission.

FEC

Federal Election Commission.

Purpose of Bureaucracy

To carry out and implement laws.

Steps in Policy Making

Define the problem, get on the agenda, write laws, funding, implementation, oversight, and termination.

Ways the President can Check Bureaucracy

Appointing officials, budgeting, and executive orders.

Ways Congress can Check Bureaucracy

Confirm appointments, pass/deny laws, and budget confirmation.

Judiciary Check on Bureaucracy

Judicial review - the power to declare actions of other branches unlawful.

Role of Media in Bureaucracy

The media gets involved when something goes wrong within the government.