AP GOV Unit 5 Parts 2 & 3

pardon

forgives an individual for their crime. Removes criminal record

amnesty

forgives a group of people for a similar crime

reprieve

postpones the carryout of a sentence

commutation

lessons/reduces a sentence

Clemency Powers

amnesty, pardon, commutation, reprieve

executive powers

outline how a President wants to enforce a law. More recently used by Presidents to create new policy without Congress

signing statements

used by Presidents to indicate they are not supportive of a bill they have signed into law.

Diplomatic Recognition

power of the president to recognize the legitimacy of a foreign government

Treaty vs. Executive Agreements

treaties must be approved by a 2/3s vote in the Senate. Executive Agreements do not have to be approved by the Senate.

The Imperial Presidency

term used to describe growing presidential powers

Political Capital

Amount of popularity Presidents can use to help pass their agenda

Honeymoon Period”:

First 100 days of a presidency-often when presidents are popular

Cabinet

major advisors to the president-most the Secretaries (leaders) of the major departments

Civil Service System (Office of Personnel Management)

system to select federal workers. Based on Merit, not patronage.

Spoils System

when federal jobs are given to people based on political patronage

Political Patronage

Giving federal jobs to those who are political allies.

Pendleton Act

Created the Civil Service System

Rule Making

when federal bureaucrats make the regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress. These regulations have the force of law

Bureaucratic discretion

describes the significant amount of independence bureaucrats have during the rulemaking process. Can ignore the President

Norms

Unwritten rules of behavior

Incrementalism

Norm of changing public policy slowly and gradually. Makes “comprehensive” policy difficult

Turf Protection

refers to the bureaucratic norm of protecting budgets and power. Often can work against the public interest

Departments

Largest Organization in the Executive Branch-handle a broad area of policy

Independent Agencies

Stand- alone agencies

Regulatory Agencies/Commissions

Typically regulate an aspect of the economy

Government Corporations

perform services that could be provided by private businesses

Going Rogue

when a cabinet secretary goes against the president

Executive Powers

Appointment Powers (with Advice and Consent)

Executive Orders vs. Signing Statements

Executive Orders and the Separation of Powers

Judicial Powers

Clemency Powers

Judicial appointments

Foreign Policy Powers

Commander in Chief

Diplomatic Recognition

Treaty vs. Executive Agreements

Presidential Requirements/Term of Office

35 Years Old

Natural Born Citizen

4-year term

22^nd Amendment creates the two-term limit

Electoral College

Safe vs. Swing States

Criticisms - overlooks safe states and their policies

Support - known system, saves money

electoral college possible reforms

National Popular Vote 

Interstate National Popular Vote Compact

Congressional District System (Maine and Nebraska)

Proportional System

National Bonus Plan

Imperial Presidency concepts

Factors Wars, economic crisis, modern communications (The Bully Pulpit), increased use of executive orders, inherent power concept

Political Capital

Presidential popularity-can be used to pass legislative agenda

Measured by Presidential Approval Polls

Honeymoon Period

Factors (crisis, economic success, personal qualities)

Office of the President

Chief of Staff (role in controlling access to the President)

Growing size: more staff equals more power

Purpose/Function of the OMB (Office of Management and Budget)

Cabinet concepts

Major Presidential Advisors (Mostly Cabinet-level “Secretaries” of Departments)

“Cabinet that looks like America”

Going Rogue: Gone Rouge

Congressional Oversight

Power of Congress to investigate the Executive Branch

District First level: original jurisdiction

hears cases first

District First level: Circuit Courts

reviews lower court decisions

Judicial Philosophy

Strict vs. Loose Construction

Judicial Restraint vs. Judicial Activism

Precedent

Stare Decisis

Writ of Certiorari

“Granting Cert”

4 of 9 justices must agree to hear a case (Rule of 4)

17th amendment

Direction Election of Senators by voters

22nd amendment

Two term limit on the President-effect on power during the second term

25th amendment

Vice president related