Ap Government Unit 2:Executive Branch and Beurocracy Study Guide

Executive Branch Review

President 

1. Qualifications to be President

   - Must be a natural-born citizen of the U.S.

   - At least 35 years old

   - Resident in the U.S. for at least 14 years

2. Impeachment Process

   - House of Representatives votes to impeach (simple majority)

   - Senate holds a trial and votes to convict (two-thirds majority required)

3. 20th, 22nd, 25th Amendments

   - 20th: Changes inauguration date to January 20th

   - 22nd: Limits the president to two terms

   - 25th: Addresses presidential succession and disability

4. Two Oldest Departments

   - Department of State (1789)

   - Department of the Treasury (1789)

5. Title of the Leader of the Department of Justice

   - Attorney General

6. How Presidents Control the Bureaucracy

   - Appointing agency heads

   - Issuing executive orders

   - Proposing budgets

7. Role of the National Security Council (NSC)

   - Advise the President on national security and foreign policies

8. War Powers Resolution

   - Limits the President's ability to send troops into combat without Congressional approval (60 days)

9. Executive Agreements and Executive Orders

   - Executive Agreements: International agreements made by the President without Senate approval

   - Executive Orders: Directives issued by the President to manage the federal government

10. Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

    - Assists the President in preparing the federal budget and supervising its administration

11. Council of Economic Advisors (CEA)

    - Provides economic advice to the President

12. Mandatory vs Discretionary Spending

    - Mandatory: Required by law (e.g., Social Security, Medicare)

    - Discretionary: Subject to annual appropriation (e.g., defense, education)

13. Pocket Veto

    - When the President does not sign a bill within 10 days and Congress is adjourned, the bill does not become law

14. Role of the First Lady

    - Varies by individual; often focuses on social issues and public advocacy

15. Presidential Roles

    - Chief Executive: Administering the laws, appointing officials

    - Chief Legislator: Recommending legislation, vetoing bills

    - Chief Diplomat: Negotiating treaties, meeting with foreign leaders

    - Commander in Chief: Leading the military

    - Chief of Party: Supporting party candidates

    - Chief Magistrate: Pardoning federal crimes

    - Chief Citizen: Representing the people

    - Chief Administrator: Managing the executive branch

    - Chief of State: Ceremonial head of the country

Bureaucracy

16. What is the Bureaucracy and Its Main Role

    - A system of managing government through departments run by appointed officials. Main role: implement and administer laws and policies.

17. Benefits of the Bureaucracy

    - Efficiency in managing large-scale operations

    - Expertise and specialization

    - Continuity and stability

18. Criticisms of the Bureaucracy

    - Red tape and inefficiency

    - Lack of accountability

    - Resistance to change

19. Spoils System vs Merit System

    - Spoils System: Jobs given based on political loyalty

    - Merit System: Jobs awarded based on qualifications and performance

20. Pendleton Act

    - Established the Civil Service Commission and marked the beginning of the merit system

21. Number of Cabinet Positions

    - 15

22. Types of Bureaucratic Agencies

    - Independent Executive Agencies: NASA, EPA

    - Independent Regulatory Agencies: SEC, FCC

    - Government Corporations: USPS, Amtrak

23. What is a Bureaucrat and What Do They Do

    - Bureaucrats are government officials who implement and administer laws and policies.

24. Growth of the Bureaucracy in the Last 100 Years

    - Increased complexity of society and government functions

    - Expansion of federal programs and services

25. How Congress Influences the Bureaucracy

    - Appropriations and budget control

    - Oversight and investigations

    - Legislation affecting agency operations

26. Iron Triangle

    - A close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group

27. White House Office

    - Presidential staff who oversee the policy interests of the president

28. Issue Network

    - An alliance of various interest groups and individuals who unite to promote a single issue

29. Quasi-Legislative vs Quasi-Judicial Powers

    - Quasi-Legislative: Agencies create regulations (e.g., FCC regulations)

    - Quasi-Judicial: Agencies adjudicate disputes (e.g., SEC enforcement actions)

30. Control of the Bureaucracy by Each Branch

    - Legislative: Budgeting, oversight, and laws

    - Executive: Appointments, executive orders, and reorganizations

    - Judicial: Judicial review of agency actions

Executive Branch Study Guide 

1. War Powers Act of 1973

   - Limits the president's ability to send troops into combat without Congressional approval.

2. Line-Item Veto

   - Advocates argue it would enhance a president’s ability to reduce spending and eliminate unnecessary expenditures from bills.

3. Selecting White House Staff

   - Presidents prioritize loyalty, expertise, and the ability to work well under pressure.

4. Executive Agreement

   - An agreement between the president and another head of state that doesn’t require Senate approval.

5. Selecting a VP

   - Nominees often choose a running mate who can balance the ticket, appeal to different voter demographics, and bring complementary skills.

6. Office of Budget and Management (OBM)

   - Responsible for preparing the federal budget and overseeing its implementation.

7. Electoral College Votes

   - Each state gets a number of electoral votes equal to its total number of Senators and Representatives in Congress.

8. Swing States

   - States where both major political parties have similar levels of support. They can determine the outcome of an election.

9. Electoral College - Best Argument For

   - Preserves federalism and ensures representation of smaller states.

10. Electoral College - Best Argument Against

    - The risk of "faithless electors" who don't vote according to their state's popular vote.

11. Presidential Actions Requiring Senate Approval

    - Treaties, Supreme Court appointments, and high-level federal appointments.

12. Criticism of Circular White House Model

    - Can lead to confusion and inefficiency due to overlapping responsibilities.

13. Appointed Officials Not Needing Senate Approval

    - Senior White House staff and some special advisors.

14. Divided Government

    - When the presidency and one or both houses of Congress are controlled by different parties.

15. Congressional Approval of Policies

    - More likely during periods of unified government or with bipartisan support.

16. Electoral College and Popular Vote

    - No, a candidate can win the presidency without winning the popular vote.

17. Qualifications to Become President

    - Natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and a resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years.

18. Presidential Powers Without Congressional Check

    - Executive orders, executive agreements, and military decisions within limits.

19. Campaign Strategies

    - Fundraising, advertising, debates, and targeting swing states.

20. Legislative Leadership Challenges

    - Political opposition, complex legislation, and differing priorities.

21. Top-Level Position Qualification

    - Experience, expertise, and political alignment with the president.

22. Executive Agreements

    - Evidence of the president’s ability to conduct foreign affairs independently.

23. 25th Amendment

    - Addresses presidential succession and disability.

24. Executive Orders for Policy

    - When immediate action is needed or legislative gridlock prevents action.

25. Presidential Roles

    - Chief Executive, Commander in Chief, Chief Diplomat, and more.

26. Signing Statements vs. Veto

    - Used to express concerns without rejecting the bill entirely.

27. Checks on Federal Bureaucracy

    - Congressional oversight, judicial review, and executive control.

28. Spoils System

    - Appointments based on political loyalty rather than merit.

29. Cabinet Department with Most Employees

    - The Department of Defense.

30. Iron Triangle

    - The relationship between Congress, federal agencies, and interest groups.

31. Congressional Oversight of Bureaucracy

    - Hearings, investigations, and budget control.

32. Government Corporations Examples

    - U.S. Postal Service, Amtrak.

33. Hatch Act

    - Prohibits federal employees from engaging in certain political activities.

34. Federal Bureaucracy vs. Other Bureaucracies

    - More transparent, diverse, and operates under stricter regulations.

35. Bureaucratic Power Source

    - Expertise, administrative discretion, and implementing laws.

36. Cabinet Influence on Decisions

    - Limited by the president’s reliance on inner-circle advisors.

37. Federal Bureaucracy Characteristics

    - Hierarchical structure, specialized functions, and adherence to rules.

38. Red Tape

    - Excessive bureaucratic regulations and procedures.

39. Newest Cabinet Department (2002)

    - Department of Homeland Security.

40. Independent Agencies Examples

    - CIA, NASA, EPA.

41. Power to Create, Organize, Disband Agencies

    - Congress has this authority.

42. Federal Bureaucracy Employment

    - Most civil servants are hired based on merit through competitive exams.