AP Government: The American Presidency and Federal Bureaucracy

AP GOV Subunit on the Executive Branch

Chapter 5: The American Presidency

Overview of the Executive Branch

  • The executive branch is one of the three branches of the United States government, primarily responsible for enforcing laws.

Federalist No. 70

  • Argument: Alexander Hamilton argues for a strong executive leader to ensure energy and decisiveness in governance.

  • Key Points:

    • A single executive is more accountable than a group.

    • Vibrant leadership leads to effective governance.

Powers of the President

  • Enumerated Powers: These are formal powers explicitly listed in the Constitution.

  • Implied Powers: These are informal powers derived from the Constitution that allow the president to act in ways not specifically outlined.

Presidential Cabinet

  • Comprised of the heads of the 15 executive departments.

  • Advises the President on various issues and helps implement his policies.

Treaties

  • The President can negotiate treaties with other nations, requiring a two-thirds Senate approval.

State of the Union Address

  • An annual address delivered by the president to Congress, outlining the administration's legislative agenda and national priorities.

Veto Powers

  • Veto: The President's power to reject legislation.

  • Pocket Veto: When the president does not sign a bill for 10 days and Congress is adjourned, effectively allowing the bill to die.

Presidential Pardon

  • The President can grant pardons for federal offenses, restoring rights and forgiving punishment.

Executive Privilege

  • The President's right to withhold information from Congress or the courts, justified by the need for confidentiality in executive decision-making.

Executive Agreement

  • An international agreement made by the president that does not require Senate approval, often used for non-treaty matters.

Signing Statement

  • A statement issued by the president when signing a bill, often outlining his interpretation or constitutional concerns regarding the legislation.

Executive Order

  • A directive issued by the President to manage the operations of the federal government.

War Powers Resolution

  • A federal law intended to check the president’s power to commit the United States to armed conflict without congressional consent.

  • Requires the president to consult with Congress before engaging in military action.

Impeachment

  • The process by which federal officials, including the President, can be removed from office for misconduct.

  • United States v. Nixon: Landmark Supreme Court case reaffirming the principle of judicial review and limited executive privilege.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

  • A complex organization that provides support to the President in various areas, aiding in decision-making and policy implementation.

Bargaining and Persuasion

  • Effective presidents often engage in negotiation and persuasion to achieve policy goals.

  • Bully Pulpit: The President’s platform to influence public opinion and politics after addressing the public.

Approval Ratings

  • Presidential approval ratings can significantly affect a president's power, influence, and legislative success.

Additional Concepts to be Covered in Class:

  • Honeymoon Period: The early phase of a presidency where approval ratings are typically high, and cooperation is more likely.

  • Lame Duck Session: A period in which an elected official is approaching the end of their term and may have diminished effectiveness.

  • Ad Hoc Management Style: A flexible, as-needed management approach.

  • Pyramid Management Style: An organizational structure where communication flows up and down a hierarchical chain.

  • Circular Management Style: A management structure promoting communication both horizontally and vertically in a circular pattern.

Chapter 7: The Federal Bureaucracy

Overview of Federal Bureaucracy

  • The federal bureaucracy is responsible for the administration of the federal government's functions and services.

  • Bureaucrats: Individuals who work within bureaucracies, implementing policies and overseeing daily operations.

Patronage System

  • A practice where government jobs are given based on political connections rather than merit.

Pendleton Act

  • Established a merit-based system for federal employment and created the United States Civil Service Commission.

Federal Civil Service

  • A system of hiring and promotion based on merit principles and competitive exams.

Merit System

  • A system where hiring and promotion are based on competence and performance.

Cabinet Departments

  • There are 15 cabinet departments in the federal bureaucracy, each responsible for specific areas of public policy.

  • Refer to Figure 7.2 for a visual representation of the departments.

Senior Executive Service (SES)

  • A flexible, mobile cadre of senior career executives who serve as the workforce of the federal government.

General Service (GS)

  • A pay scale for federal employees that classifies job positions based on duties and responsibilities.

Iron Triangle

  • A term describing the stable, mutually beneficial relationships among congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups.

Issue Network

  • A more loosely connected group of individuals and organizations that share a common interest in a specific policy area.

Implementation

  • The process of putting a law into action through bureaucratic procedures.

Bureaucratic Discretion

  • The authority of bureaucrats to make choices concerning the best way to implement federal laws.

Regulation

  • The process of creating, amending, or repealing rules and regulations that govern various sectors.

Notice and Comment

  • A procedure in rulemaking that requires agencies to make proposed rules available for public comment before they can be finalized.

The Federal Register

  • A daily publication that contains government agency rules, proposed rules, and public notices.

Independent Regulatory Agencies

  • Agencies that oversee and regulate various industries or sectors, operating independently of the executive branch.

  • Refer to Figure 7.6 for a visual representation of these agencies.

Bureaucratic Adjudication

  • The process by which bureaucratic agencies resolve disputes about the implementation of statutes and regulations.

The Hatch Act

  • A federal law prohibiting government employees from engaging in partisan political activity while on duty or using their official authority.