Administering the Executive Branch

Question 1

The Cabinet

Answer 1

• presidential advisers (15 dept heads plus a few additional members)
• run large departments that take care of a wide range of national concerns
  Ex: Department of Transportation
• tend to be more loyal to their agency than to the president

Question 2

Inner Cabinet

Answer 2

• more influential
• handles traditional issues
• Secretary of State and Defense

Question 3

Outer Cabinet

Answer 3

• more modern depts
• less influential
  Ex: Housing and Urban Development

Question 4

Executive Office of the President

Answer 4

• created in 1939
• carries out constitutional duties
• duties include the budget and economy
• Includes CIA, Council of Economic Advisers, Office of Management and Budget

Question 5

Office of Management and Budget

Answer 5

-responsible for spending and managing billions of dollars

Question 6

Council of Economic Advisers

Answer 6

• assists the President in preparing annual economic report to Congress
• created around GD

Question 7

White House Staff

Answer 7

• fairly permanent advisers
• Close to the president: longtime friends or loyal aids
• no senate confirmation
• presidents tend to rely more on the White House staff more than the departments or agency heads and do not compete for funding

Question 8

Chief of Staff

Answer 8

• responsible for the operation of the White House
• manages the flow of business and information
• president seeks chief of Staff for advice on many issues

Question 9

Pyramid System

Answer 9

-rigid top down approach
-Chief of Staff just below president as (gatekeeper), followed by department head
- system creates a clear chain of command
- orderly flow of information traveling up
- allows president to focus on big issues and not get weighted down with details
Ex: Eisenhower, Nixon

Question 10

Ad Hoc

Answer 10

Ex: Bill Clinton

• very little organization
• great deal of flexibility, very casual approach to management and hierarchy

Question 11

Circular system

Answer 11

-Can be thought if as a large wheel with many spokes
-more casual method to get stronger input from advisers
-staffers and secretaries have greater access to the president
- Chief of staff acts less like a gatekeeper
Ex: Kennedy, Johnson, Carter

Question 12

National Security Council

Answer 12

• advisory board on national matters of national defense

- President, VP, National Security Adviser, CIA director, Secretary of State and Defense