Studied by 2 people
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Commander-in-chief
One role of the President. Serves as leader of armed forces
Electoral College
Group formed every four years for the sole purpose of voting in a President and VP. Process is described in Article 2 of the Constitution.
expressed (formal) powers
powers of the national government that are explicitly listed in the Constitution
Executive agreement
an agreement between the heads of government of two or more nations that has not been ratified by the legislature as treaties are ratified. (without senates advice/consent)
Cabinet / Executive Department
The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments
Government Corporation
A government agency that operates like a business corporation, created to secure greater freedom of action and flexibility for a particular program
Iron triangle
comprises the policy-making relationship among the congressional committees, the bureaucracy, and interest groups, as described in 1981 by Gordon Adams.
Executive order
official directives issued by the President of the United States to manage the operations of the federal government. (congressional approval not needed)
Executive privilege
defines the authority of the President to withhold documents or information in his possession or in the possession of the Executive Branch from the Legislative or Judicial Branch of the government.
Inherent (informal) powers
not specifically listed, but are granted to the president to expend his/her powers, being the executive of the nation
Line-item veto
Presidential power to strike, or remove, specific items from a spending bill without vetoing the entire package; declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
Independent Executive Agency
agencies that, while constitutionally part of the executive branch, are independent of presidential control
Patronage, Spoils System
a practice in which a political party, after winning an election, gives government jobs to its supporters
Impeachment
a constitutional procedure through which federal officials, including the President, can be removed from office for committing crimes such as treason
Pocket veto
an indirect veto of a legislative bill by the president or a governor by retaining the bill unsigned until it is too late for it to be dealt with during the legislative session.
“Take Care” Clause
the President shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed
Veto
the power of an official, particularly the president, to reject a decision or proposal made by a legislative body
Independent Regulatory Agencies
Federal Agencies that have been established by congress to have a certain amount of independence from the President. Ex. Federal Trade Commison, Board of Governors,
Pendleton Civil Service Act (merit system)
enacted in 1883, established that government jobs should be awarded based on merit rather than political affiliation.
Chief Executive
the role of the president as the head of the executive branch of the government, responsible for enforcing law/ implementing policy etc
Chief Legislator
the role of the president in influencing the making of laws. (President doesnt have the power to pass laws but he can suggest laws to congress)
Chief Diplomat
role of the President of the United States responsible for shaping foreign policy and managing international relations.
Chief Economist
The President makes sure that the federal government's budget is sound and assists in creating policy proposals for creating new jobs or to raise or lower federal taxes.
Party Leader
The president helps members of his political party get elected or appointed to office. The president campaigns for those members who have supported his policies. At the end of a term the president may campaign for reelection with his party's support.
Article II of the Constitution
established the executive branch and creates a clear framework for presidential power by defining specific roles, responsibilities, and limitations. It grants the President significant authority over domestic and foreign affairs while also instituting checks like Senate confirmation for appointments and treaty ratification.
Federalist 70
argues for a strong executive leader, as provided for by the Constitution, as opposed to the weak executive under the Articles of Confederation. “energy in the executive is the leading character in the definition of good government.”
US v. Nixon (1974)
established the principle of executive privilege.
Supreme Court unanimously ordered President Richard Nixon to deliver tape recordings and other subpoenaed materials related to the Watergate scandal to a federal district court.
Clinton v. Jones (1997)
the Court ruled that separation of powers does not mandate that federal courts delay all private civil lawsuits against the President until the end of his term of office.
Paula Corbin Jones sued Pres. Clinton and alledged while she was an Arkansas state employee she suffered sexual advanced from Clinton and due to her refusal she was punished by her state supervisors.
The Supreme Court held that nothing in the Constitution protects the president from civil lawsuits while they are in office.
Youngstown Sheet and Tube Co. v. Sawyer (1952)
The President cannot take possession of private property without authorization from Congress or the Constitution. this decision reinforced the separation of powers between the 3 branches of government
During the Korean War, there was a labor dispute between steel workers and steel mill operators. President Truman used an executive order to take control of the steel mills and ensure the continued production of steel during wartime.
What are the expressed, or formal, powers of the President, per Article II? What are the inherent, or informal powers?
Expressed: Commander in chief, power to pardon, make treaties (w/ advice & consent) , nominate ambassadors, supreme court justices and other US officials,
Inherent/Informal: take care clause, executive order, executive privilege
What are the checks on the executive branch?
-The legislative branch can check the executive branch by passing laws over the veto by a 2/3 votes in each house.
-The judicial branch can check both the the legislative and executive branch by declaring laws unconstitutional.
How do each of the inherent, or informal powers we studied (executive orders, agreements, and privilege) complicate the system of checks and balances?
Since they arent expressed directly the president can use the vagueness to his advantage to have more power in the checks and balances system
Post-Nixon, under what circumstances can the president claim executive privilege?
Maintaining confidential communications under certain circumstances within the executive branch and to resist some subpoenas and other oversight by the legislative and judicial branches of government
What are the arguments for and against an imperial presidency? (seminar)
for- President can quickly take action when needed without worrying about being told no (this is really the only thing since imperial presidency is not good)
against- The president can take action by his own will and without the consent of congress, The president can abuse his power, other branches can be ignored
What are the functions of the bureaucracy?
carries out the responsibilities of the federal government to regulate and enforce individual and commercial activities
What are the different types of bureaucracies?
-cabinet departments
-independent executive agencies
-regulatory agencies
-government corporations.
What role does the Bureaucracy play in the policymaking process?
To implement and enforce policy. It also assists the executive
Why is the bureaucracy sometimes criticized?
Because bureaucrats are unelected, there's no way for the public to hold agencies
