AP US Government and Politics Unit 2: Interactions Among the Branches of Government (Executive Branch)

Informal powers

capabilities and influence that an executive, such as a president, uses to achieve goals outside of the formal, constitutionally-granted authorities.

Policy agenda

the set of issues, problems, or topics that government officials and other policymakers have prioritized for discussion and action.

Line-Item Veto

The power of a president, governor, or other elected executive to reject individual provisions of a bill.

Executive order

A legally binding written directive from the U.S. President that manages the operations of the federal government's executive branch

Executive agreement

An international agreement, usually regarding routine administrative matters not warranting a formal treaty, made by the executive branch of the US government without ratification by the Senate.

Executive privilege

The power of the President and other officials in the executive branch to withhold certain confidential communications from the courts and Congress.

Cabinet

A government cabinet is a body of high-ranking government officials who advise the head of the executive branch and are typically responsible for leading different government departments.

Ambassador 

An accredited diplomat sent by a country as its official representative to a foreign country.

Imperial Presidency

A term used to describe a U.S. presidency that has expanded its power beyond its constitutional limits, often circumventing the traditional system of checks and balances.

Bully pulpit

a prominent and powerful public position, such as a political office, that provides its occupant with the opportunity to speak out on any issue and command a large audience.

Bureaucracy

a system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.