AMSCO AP United States Government and Politics- Chapter 5

bargaining/persuasion

President's best tool is persuading, not commanding. Those who were good presidents could persuade people, congress, etc.

Commander in Chief

term for the president as commander of the nation's armed forces

Formal Powers

specific grants of authority defined in the Constitution or in law

executive agreement

an agreement between the president and the leader of another country

executive order

A rule issued by the president that has the force of law

executive privilege

The power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security.

Informal Powers

Powers not directly granted by law. The governor's informal powers may follow from powers granted by law but may also come from the governor's persuasive abilities, which are affected by the governor's personality, popularity, and political support.

line-item veto

an executive's ability to block a particular provision in a bill passed by the legislature

pocket veto

A veto taking place when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president, who simply lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it.

policy agenda

The issues that attract the serious attention of public officials and other people actively involved in politics at the time.

signing statement

a presidential document that reveals what the president thinks of a new law and how it ought to be enforced

Veto

to reject

ambassadors

Official representatives to foreign governments

inherent powers

The powers of the national government in foreign affairs that the Supreme Court has declared do not depend on constitutional grants but rather grow out of the very existence of the national government.

Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS)

The military officers in charge of each of the armed services

Cabinet

A group of advisers to the president.

Chief of staff

The head of the White House staff.

Federalist No 70

Here Hamilton argues for the necessity of a single president (rather than an executive committee). Hamilton states that Americans should not fear the president becoming a tyrant because a single person would be easier to control. Additionally, a single president could act with more energy, efficiency, and secrecy than could a committee.

Imperial Presidency

President is seen as emperor taking strong actions without consulting Congress or seeking its approval

Andrew Jackson

The seventh President of the United States (1829-1837), who as a general in the War of 1812 defeated the British at New Orleans (1815). As president he opposed the Bank of America, objected to the right of individual states to nullify disagreeable federal laws, and increased the presidential powers.

Abraham Lincoln

16th President of the United States saved the Union during the Civil War and emancipated the slaves; was assassinated by Booth (1809-1865)

Franklin D. Roosevelt

President of the US during Great Depression and World War II

Theodore Roosevelt

1858-1919. 26th President. Increased size of Navy, "Great White Fleet". Added Roosevelt Corollary to Monroe Doctrine. "Big Stick" policy. Received Nobel Peace Prize for mediation of end of Russo-Japanese war. Later arbitrated split of Morocco between Germany and France.

Stewardship Theory

A theory that argues for a strong, assertive presidential role, with presidential authority limited only at points specifically prohibited by law.

Twenty-second Amendment

Passed in 1951, the amendment that limits presidents to two terms of office.

George Washington

1st President of the United States; commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution (1732-1799)

War Powers Act of 1973

Gave any president the power to go to war under certain circumstances, but required that he could only do so for 90 days before being required to officially bring the matter before Congress.

Woodrow Wilson

28th president of the United States, known for World War I leadership, created Federal Reserve, Federal Trade Commission, Clayton Antitrust Act, progressive income tax, lower tariffs, women's suffrage (reluctantly), Treaty of Versailles, sought 14 points post-war plan, League of Nations (but failed to win U.S. ratification), won Nobel Peace Prize

Bully Pulpit

the president's use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public

State of the Union Address

The president's annual statement to Congress and the nation.