Poly sci study guide (pray for me)

Presidenty stuff

What are executive powers?

• execute

• enforce

• administer

Where do executive powers come from?

The constitution- when the president is sworn in they take an oath promising to execute the powers faithfully.

What are the executive powers?

ordinance power, appointment power, removal power, executive privilege

ordinance power:

The authority of the president to issue executive orders and directives to manage the operations of the federal government.

appointment power:

The president's authority to appoint federal officials, including judges, ambassadors, and cabinet members, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

removal power:

The president's authority to remove federal officials from their positions, including those appointed by the president, without requiring Senate approval.

executive privilege:

The President has the inherent power to refuse to disclose certain information to Congress or to the Federal Courts.

Example of executive privilege:

United States vs Nixon

What was United States VS Nixon?

A landmark Supreme Court case that addressed the limits of executive privilege, ruling that President Nixon had to release tape recordings related to the Watergate scandal.

Domestic:

Deal with matters inside of the borders of the USA

foreign:

Americas relationship with other nations

What is foreign policy?

The strategies and decisions made by a country in its interactions with other nations, including diplomacy, trade, and military actions.

what does foreign policy consist of?

Government official statements, Treaties, Defense budget, Economic and military aid, Nuclear weapons and disarmament agreements, Immigration

What departments deal with foreign affairs?

State department, military department, department of homeland security, CIA

Who is the current Secretary of State?

John Kerry

What is the state department?

The State Department is like the U.S.'s foreign affairs team. They handle things like talking to other countries, making deals, and protecting Americans who are traveling abroad. It is headed by the Secretary of State.

Who is the Secretary of State?

Ranks first in the President’s Cabinet. State Department was the 1st executive department created by Congress. The duties of the Secretary of State relate solely to foreign affairs.

Who was the first ever Secretary of State?

Thomas Jefferson, under Washington

What are ambassadors?

Official representatives of the United States appointed by the President to represent the nation in matters of diplomacy.

Where are ambassadors stationed?

At the capital of each country that the USA recognizes.

What is diplomatic immunity?

Ambassadors are granted diplomatic immunity, meaning they are not subject to the laws of the country. Cannot be arrested, sued, taxed or have property searched. Treated well but should not abuse privilege.

How many passports does the state department issue each year?

Around 8 million

Military department:

Navy, Air Force, and Army

What does “CIA” stand for?

Central Intelligence Agency

What is the CIA?

Created by Congress in 1947 – works under the National Security Council

What is the department of homeland security?

Created in 2002 and charged with protecting the U.S. from terrorism

What is the basic purpose of foreign policy?

to protect the USA

What is isolationism?

Created in 2002 and charged with protecting the U.S. from terrorism

What was the Monroe doctrine of 1823?

President James Monroe stated America’s intention to stay out of European affairs and they need to stay out of ours.

What is internationalism?

the advocacy of nations helping other nations for economic, political and military purposes.

When did the US switch from isolationism to internationalism?

after WW2

What is providing foreign aid?

providing military and economic aid to other countries.

What is NATO?

(North Atlantic Treaty Organization) promotes the collective defense of Western Europe

What are the 5 permanent members of the United Nations security council?

U.S., Russia, China, France and Great Britain. Pledges a commitment to maintaining international peace.

How many electoral votes are needed to win the presidency?

270

How is a states electoral votes determined?

the number of electorates is based off of population, the senators, and House of Representatives

How is electoral vote win determined?

In most states, whoever wins the popular vote also wins all of the electoral votes.

Which states used the congressional district method?

nebraska and maine

What is the congressional district method?

The popular vote in state gets Senate electorate, and house electorates go to popular vote winner in each congressional district

What are the problems with the electoral college?

The winner of the popular vote is not guaranteed presidency, Electors are not required to vote in accordance with the popular vote, and president may have to be decided by the House of Representatives.

Example of house of representatives deciding president

Election of 1824 - John Quincy Adams was selected by the House of Representatives even though Andrew Jackson had more popular votes and more electoral votes.

Taxing:

When it comes to raising revenue, taxes are the PPRIMARY SOURCE of the Federal Government’s revenue.

types of federal taxes

individual income tax, corporate income tax, social insurance tax, excise tax, estate and gift tax, custom and duties tax, misc. tax

individual income tax:

Sum of all sources of a person’s income minus deductions and exemptions.

April 15th

Tax day

Corporate income tax:

Same as Individual only for corporations. Corporations are considered entities for the purpose of taxing.

Social insurance tax:

Money collected from the government to fund andfinance the Government’s social welfare programs.

Examples of social insurance tax-

OASDI, medicare, unemployment benefits

Excise tax:

Money from taxes laid on the manufacturing, sale or consumption of certain goods – paid by the producer to the government.

Examples of excise tax-

Gas, tobacco, alcohol

estate and gift tax:

Taxes laid on imposed assets of one who dies or laid on one person who makes a gift to another person.

examples of estate and gift tax:

Inheritance, Monetary gifts given to you that exceed $10k per year.

customs and duties tax:

Taxes on goods brought into the country.

Misc tax:

Not necessarily a tax, Interest on Federal Reserve Banks earned, Money paid to Federal Government for leased lands, Passports and other Federal Documents provided to the general public.

Historically democrats taxing:

generally look to raise taxes on higher earning individuals to fund more programs.

Historically republicans taxing:

favor lower taxes and less government spending.

Monetary policy:

Set of procedures designed to regulate the economy by controlling the amount of money in circulation and interest rates.

What is fiscal policy?

Executive Branch’s attempt to stabilize the economy and achieve maximum economic growth.

chief of state:

ceremonial head of government of the United States.

chief executive:

Constitution gives the President the “Executive Power.” Viewed broadly to include both domestic and foreign affairs. President generally described as the most powerful office in the world.

Chief administrator:

President is director of the Federal Government. One of the world’s largest governmental machines. Today, there are more than 3 million civilians employed by the Federal Government all under the direction of the President.

Chief diplomat:

President is the main architect of American foreign policy and the nation’s chief spokesperson.

Commander in chief:

The nation’s entire military arsenal are subject to the President’s direct and immediate control.

chief legislator:

The President is the main architect of public policy. The President initiates, suggests, requests, insists, and demands that Congress enact much of its legislation.

chief of party:

The President is the leader of his/her political party.

Chief citizen:

The President is expected to be the representative of all the people. President is expected to work on behalf of public interest.

How much does the president get paid?

$400,000 a year plus a $50,000 expense account.

What is the role of a vice president?

succeeds the President to the Office of Presidency should the President die, resign or otherwise be incapacitated, among other things.

When should the VP because acting president according to 25th amendment?

The President informs Congress in writing, “that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.” Or when The Vice President and a majority of the members of the Cabinet inform Congress in writing that the President is so incapacitated.

Who was the first VP to intentionally become acting president?

Ronald Reagan’s transfer of powers to Vice President George H.W. Bush for a period of eight hours in 1985 while Reagan had surgery on his intestines to remove a tumor.

What did the presidential succession act of 1947 do?

It sets a line of succession should something happen to the president, and/or VP.