Ap Government Unit 2:Executive Branch and Beurocracy Study Guide
Executive Branch Review
PresidentÂ
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 GuideÂ
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.