Key Concepts
The power of the cabinet: The cabinet is composed of the heads of executive departments, advising the president, and helping execute federal laws. It influences policy through expert knowledge and collective decision-making.
The constitutional powers of Congress and the President: Congress holds legislative powers, including creating laws, declaring war, and controlling budgets, while the President executes laws, commands the military, and conducts foreign affairs.
Why presidents claim mandates: Presidents often claim mandates after elections to assert that their policies reflect the voters' will, using electoral victories as justification for implementing their agenda.
The most underrepresented groups in Congress: Women, racial and ethnic minorities, and younger individuals are often underrepresented in Congress, leading to a lack of diverse perspectives in policy-making.
Role of bureaucracy and criticism thereof: Bureaucracy implements government policies through various agencies. Critics argue it can be inefficient, unresponsive, and overly complex, causing frustration among citizens.
The incumbency advantage: Incumbents have various advantages, including name recognition, access to funding, and established constituent relationships, making them more likely to win re-election.
Congressional leadership structure: Congressional leadership includes the Speaker of the House, majority and minority leaders, and whips, who manage party strategy, legislative schedules, and member communication.
What appointments the Senate confirms: The Senate confirms presidential appointments, such as federal judges, cabinet members, and ambassadors, ensuring checks on executive power.
How casework affects members’ attention to legislation: Casework involves addressing individual constituents' concerns, which can increase legislators' attentiveness to related legislation that affects their constituents' needs.
What influences the votes of congressmen/congresswomen: Votes can be influenced by party affiliation, constituent opinions, lobbyists, personal beliefs, and the political climate.
How Congress controls the bureaucracy: Congress oversees the bureaucracy through legislation, budget appropriations, and hearings, ensuring agencies adhere to legislative intent.
Each section of how a bill becomes a law: A bill is drafted, proposed, reviewed by committees, debated, voted on in both chambers, reconciled if necessary, and then sent to the President for approval or veto.
How the president controls the bureaucracy: The President appoints agency heads, issues executive orders, and can propose budget allocations affecting bureaucratic operations.
Differences between how the House and Senate operate: The House has stricter rules and larger committees, while the Senate allows for more extended debate and has greater individual member influence.
Checks and balances among the 3 branches: Each branch (executive, legislative, judicial) can limit the powers of the others through mechanisms like vetoes, judicial review, and confirmations to maintain a balance of power.
Examples of political patronage: Political patronage includes appointing loyal supporters to positions, such as federal jobs or government contracts, often to reward political loyalty.
Criticism of a powerful federal bureaucracy: Critics argue that a powerful bureaucracy can lead to unaccountable governance, inefficiency, and the risk of bureaucratic overreach into citizens' lives.
Factors that contribute to the incumbency advantage and consequences of incumbency: Factors include name recognition, financial support, and experience. Consequences may lead to reduced competition and stagnation in legislative innovation.
Details of the impeachment process: Impeachment involves the House drafting articles of impeachment, which must pass by a majority vote, followed by a Senate trial requiring two-thirds majority for removal.
Have executive orders expanded the president's power beyond the framers' intent: Some argue that executive orders have allowed Presidents to bypass legislative approval, potentially exceeding the intended limits on executive power.
How the president influences public opinion: The President can influence public opinion through speeches, social media, and press conferences, shaping narratives around policies and issues.
Why some argue the bureaucracy is undemocratic: Critics claim that bureaucracies operate without direct accountability to the public, making decisions without input from elected representatives, thus undermining democratic processes.
Explain how the federal bureaucracy remains nonpartisan and the role of the Hatch Act: The Hatch Act restricts political activities of federal employees, promoting a nonpartisan environment, ensuring that the bureaucracy carries out policies regardless of political affiliations.
How Congress exercises oversight: Congress exercises oversight through hearings, investigations, and reviewing agency operations to ensure accountability and adherence to policies.
How the president exercises his power as commander in chief and the limitations on those powers: The President can deploy military forces but requires Congressional authorization for prolonged military engagements, as outlined in the War Powers Resolution.
Explain why Congress gives agencies policy-making discretion: Congress grants agencies some discretion to effectively implement laws due to the complexity of issues, while also instituting mechanisms like reports and hearings to ensure alignment with legislative goals.
Constitutional powers of the president: The President's constitutional powers include executing federal laws, commanding armed forces, conducting foreign policy, and ensuring the laws are faithfully executed.