Executive Branch Flashcards
Primary Election
preliminary election to appoint delegates to a party conference or to select the candidates for a principal, especially presidential, election
Caucus
a meeting at which local members of a political party register their preference among candidates running for office
National Convention
a national meeting of delegates to nominate candidates for president and vice president, ratify the party platform, elect officers, or adopt rules
Presidential coattails
when voters cast their ballots for congressional candidates of the president’s party because they support the president
Cabinet
an advisory group selected by the president to aid in making decisions.
White House Office
the personal office of the president which tends to presidential political needs and manages the media
Honeymoon Period
beginning of a new president’s term during which the president enjoys generally positive relations with the press and Congress, usually lasting about 6 months
Approval Ratings
a measure of the degree to which the public approves or disapproves of the president’s performance in office.
executive office of the president
established by FDR; consists of eleven staff agencies that assist the president to carry out major duties
Executive Agency
administrative agency that exists within the executive branch, often at the cabinet level; serve at the pleasure of the president and can be removed at his discretion
Independent Agency
an agency of the US gov that is created by an act of Congress and is independent of the executive departments
Government Corporation
gov organization that provides a service that could be provided by the private sector and typically charges for its services. the US POSTAL SERVICE is an example.
Executive Privilege
an implied presidential power that allows the president to refuse to disclose information regarding confidential conversations or national security to Congress of judiciary
Pocket Veto
a form of veto in which the president fails to sign a bill passed by both houses within ten days and Congress has adjourned during that time
Line-item Veto
the authority of a chief executive to delete/reject part of a bill passed by the legislature
Impoundment
the presidential refusal to spend money appropriated by congress
Lame duck
a politician who is still in office after losing a reelection bid
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
responsible for preparing the federal budget and for central clearance of legislative proposals from federal agencies
Iron Triangle
mutually beneficial, three way relationship between
CONGRESS
GOV BUREAUCRATS
AND SPECIAL INTEREST LOBBY GROUPS
Bureaucracy
organization characterized by hierarchy structure, worker specialization, explicit rules, and advancement by merit
Hierarchal Authority
organization power structure; authority increases with each level higher a person or organization is in hierarchy
Regulatory Agency
make and enforce rules designed to protect public interest; they also judge disputes over these rules.
ex: FCC SEC FTC
Meritocracy
a system in which such persons are rewarded and advances
Whistle-blowing
an internal check on the bureaucracy whereby employees report instances of mismanagement that they observe
Chief Executive
the role of the president as the head of the executive branch of the gov
Head of State
unifying role of the president as a symbolic representation of the whole country
Unified Government
same party controls the WH and both houses of Congress
Divided Government
one party controls WH and another party controls one or both houses or Congress
