Institutions Lectures final

Institutions

Overview

Governance structures consist of legislative, executive, and judicial branches, vital for federal and state government.

Legislative Branch

  • Congress Evolution: Bicameral legislature established to avoid excessive power and ensure representation, balancing population and equity.

  • Centralization vs. Decentralization: Centralization allows quick decisions; decentralization protects interests but slows processes. Shift to decentralization occurred in the 1970s, enhancing subcommittee power.

Executive Branch

  • Presidency Evolution: Concerns about strong leadership vs. despotism shaped a unified executive.

  • Presidential Power Growth: Expansion of authority, especially in foreign policy, seen in increased executive agreements and emergency powers.

Judicial Branch

  • Court System Overview: Includes statutory, common, criminal, and civil law. Courts require cases to be presented; types of jurisdiction are original and appellate.

  • Judges' Appointment: Federal judges, holding life tenure, are appointed by the President with Senate approval, influenced by ideology.

Bureaucracy

  • Structure and Influence: Comprises agencies enforcing regulations; independent commissions function apart from presidential control due to public needs.

  • Controlling Bureaucracy: Influences from the President, Congress, interest groups, and media control the bureaucracy through budgets and oversight.

Key Concepts

  • Impeachment: Congress's checks and balances on presidents and judges.

  • Public Perception: Bureaucrats viewed negatively yet often have positive interactions.

  • Judicial Activism vs. Restraint: Philosophies affecting judicial decisions.

Review Questions

  1. How do the Founders address concerns with representation in Congress?

  2. Characteristics of centralized vs. decentralized Congress?

  3. Evolution of presidential powers and bureaucracy's role in policy implementation.