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US Politics - final > Chapter 3 - 4/5 - Interpretations and debates around the US presidency > Flashcards

Chapter 3 - 4/5 - Interpretations and debates around the US presidency Flashcards

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1
Q

What did the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and economic Security Act do?

A

Passed in March 2020, it gave $2.2 trillion stimulus to the US economy.

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2
Q

What did Professor Arthur Schlesinger popularise in 1973?

A

The concept of the imperial presidency, saying it had become ‘emperor-like’.

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3
Q

What is the imperial presidency?

A

A presidency characterised by the misuse of presidential powers, dominating Congress and conducting foreign policy independently. An imperial president transcends the limitations of powers and therefore their behaviour is unconstitutional.

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4
Q

When did the imperial presidency begin?

A

With F.D.R. in the 1930s.

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5
Q

What did President Nixon say about presidential power, proving he was an imperial president?

A

‘If the president does it, it’s not illegal.’

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6
Q

When was the Case Act passed?

A

1972

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7
Q

What did the Case Act do?

A

Force presidents to inform Congress of all executive agreements.

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8
Q

When was the War Powers Act passed?

A

1973

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9
Q

What did the War Powers Act do?

A

Forced the president to seek congressional approval of military action within 60 days.

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10
Q

What is the imperilled presidency?

A

An overly assertive Congress and an excessively large bureaucracy limiting the president’s power.

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11
Q

What action did President Nixon take in 1969 that is evidence of the imperial presidency?

A

Secret bombing of Cambodia that was done without Congressional approval.

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12
Q

Why does unified government allow for an imperial presidency?

A

Oversight is reduced by Congress.

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13
Q

Why does the ‘power of the purse’ prevent an imperial presidency?

A

Congress can reject a budget and force the president to compromise.

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14
Q

What period of a presidency prevents them being imperial?

A

The lame duck period.

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15
Q

Despite Trump being a self-styled imperial president, what events would suggest he was not?

A

He was frustrated by Congress in building his wall and he failed to repeal Obamacare.

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16
Q

Who coined the term imperilled presidency?

A

President Ford

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17
Q

When did Obama become president?

A

January 2009

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18
Q

What did Obama enjoy in his first two years as president?

A

A united government.

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19
Q

When was the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed?

A

2009

20
Q

When was the Affordable Care Act passed?

A

2010

21
Q

When was the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action with Iran?

A

2015

22
Q

How did Obama agree to the JCPOA?

A

With an executive agreement because he knew the Senate would never ratify it, suggesting he was not imperial.

23
Q

What did the Supreme Court refuse to do in 2016, suggesting Obama was not imperial?

A

They did not even consider his nominee to the Supreme Court, Merrick Garland.

24
Q

What foreign policy actions did Trump take that suggest he was imperial?

A

Withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and the Paris Accord in 2017.

25
Q

What was Trump on domestic policy?

A

An imperilled president.

26
Q

What campaign pledge was Trump unable to deliver on thanks to Congressional opposition, even though he had a united government in his first 2 years?

A

“repeal and replace” Obamacare

27
Q

What historical event suggests Trump was an imperilled president?

A

2018-19 government shutdown for 35 days - longest in history - over Congress refusing to fund his wall - Trump eventually backed down.

28
Q

What did both Obama and Trump suffer from that prevented them from becoming imperial presidents?

A

Divided governments

29
Q

What did Nixon consider himself, and was he correct?

A

Imperial - no, he was forced to resign over certain impeachment.

30
Q

What arguments suggest the USA has an imperial presidency?

A
  • President Nixon bombed Cambodia without Congressional knowledge.
  • Presidents can authorise short-term military action without consulting Congress.
  • Strong partisan support in a united government can reduce accountability (Bush).
31
Q

When did Nixon bomb Cambodia without Congress’ knowledge?

A

1970

32
Q

What arguments suggest the president is imperilled?

A
  • The Case Act (1972) and the War Powers Act (1973) were passed in response to Nixon.
  • Congress has the ‘power of the purse’ and reject a president’s budget.
  • Presidents can experience a ‘lame duck’ presidency in their final two years.
33
Q

When was Obama President?

A

2009-2017

34
Q

What campaign promises did Obama make when running for president in 2009?

A
  • Close Guantanamo Bay
  • Universal healthcare
  • Stimulate the economy after the financial crash
35
Q

Did Obama deliver on his promise of closing Guantanamo Bay?

A

No - he issues an executive order in 2009 but could not secure the necessary funds. It remains open.

36
Q

Did Obama deliver on his promise of universal healthcare?

A

Yes - Affordable Care Act 2010

37
Q

When was Trump president?

A

2017-2021

38
Q

What promises did Trump make when running for president?

A
  • Build a border wall with Mexico.
  • Cut taxes
39
Q

Was Trump successful in delivering on his promise to build a wall?

A

No - led to the longest government shutdown in history.

40
Q

Did Trump deliver on his promise to cut taxes?

A

Yes - Tax Cuts and Jobs Act 2017

41
Q

Can the president be imperilled in one area and imperial in another?

A

Yes, often imperial in foreign policy and imperilled in domestic.

42
Q

What formal power do presidents have that can make them imperial?

A

Veto

43
Q

Who controlled both Houses of Congress in 2017-2019?

A

Republicans, meaning Trump enjoyed a united government.

44
Q

What did the Republicans lose in 2019?

A

The House of Representatives, meaning Trump had a divided government.

45
Q

Was Obama successful in delivering on his promise to stimulate the American economy in the wake of the financial crash?

A

Yes - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009

46
Q

When did the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009 do?

A

Provide $787 billion of federal economic stimulus

US Politics - final (29 decks)

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