Executive Unit Flashcards
Pyramid Structure
Structure in the WH where communication is worked up through the rankings to communicate with the president at the top.
Circular Structure
Structure in the WH where communication can be equally accessed to the president anywhere.
Ad Hoc Structure
Structure in the WH where temporary and flexible groups are formed to address certain issues rather than a fixed hierarchy.
Legal Requirments for President
Natural born citizen
35
A resident of US for 14 years+
22nd Amendment
Prevents the president from serving more than two terms, or more than 10 years due to death/impeachment.
12th Amendment
President and VP are elected together, not separately.
25th Amendment
Establishes procedures for filling vacancies in the office (VP)
20th Amendment
Shortens election in November and inauguration. (Lame-duck period)
Impeachment Process
HOR impeaches the president with majority votes, then the trial is held in Senate to determine the removal of office.
Executive Checks on Legislative
Veto
Call Congress
Executive Checks on Judicial
Appointment
Refuse decisions
Legislative Checks on Executive
Impeach
Override Veto
Refuse Appointments
Reject funding and legislation
Judicial Checks on Executive
Declare act unconsitituional
Preside over impeachment trials
Constitutional Powers of the President
Commander in Cheif
Convene Congress
Veto
Appointment
Make Treaties
Grant Pardons
Administrative Head (Directs ex. agencies)
Statuary Powers
Presidential powers passed by Congress. (ex. calling national emergency)
Inherent Powers
Not in the constitution, but are passed down by “tradition”. Expands power from the consitution.
Executive Orders
President directives that carry the force of law to make sure everything is executed. (Like Full Faith and Credit Clause)
Executive Agreements
Used to stay away from formal treaty processes and power
7 Roles of President
Chief of Executive Branch
Head of State
Foreign Policy Leader
Commander in Cheif
Legislative Leader
Economic Leader
Political Party Leader
OMB
Office of Management and Budget helps president for budget proposals.
War Powers Act
Requires authorization of Congress to deploy troops overseas. limits power of chief executive
48hrs to notify Congress, 60 days for approval, 30 days to bring troops home
Examples of Increase in Executive Power
Civil War, New Deal, 9/11, National Emergencies
What does “Going Public” mean?
When a president goes directly to the people to avoid compromising/asking Congress to get legislation
Richard Neustadt’s Theory
1.) His theory was that the president must have power of persuasion to get stuff done in office.
Bureaucracy
The org that is structured in a hierarchy to administer federal programs and laws
EOP
Executive Office of the President - mini bureaucracy that provides the president with extra help to oversee the executive branch
White House Staff
Directly responsible for the president, they have no legal authority.
Spoil System
The acts of firing public office employees to replace them with the newly elected party loyalists.
Patronage
Jobs, grants, etc, that are given as rewards to political allies for their support (ex. Spoil System)
Merit System
Employment based on tests scores and qulifications rather than party loyalty.
Pendleton Act
Enforces federal employment to use competitive exams for employment and created civil service commision.
Civil Service System
Works on behalf of the merit system for employment.
Independent Regulatory Agencies
Made by Congress to represent the public better - Makes and enforces rules in particular spheres to protect public interest (LAW)
Independent Executive Agencies
Like the cabinet, but not under the president and specialize in specific areas. (Ex. NASA, CIA, EPA)
Government Corps
Agency of gov that runs a quasi-business enterprise to make profit and provide business services (ex. USPS)
Hatch Act
Government employees cant engage in certain political activities like campaigning and contributing.
Implimentation
Process which laws or policy is put into oportation
Congress Power Over Bureacracy
Specifies powers
Power of the Purse
Oversight of Hearings and Investigations with GAO
Executive Privilage
The President’s power that allows him to disclose information regarding confidential security
Why did the Framers decide to put power in one person (president)?
One person created a strong leadership that could easily make decisions rather than multiple people like in the AOC. No gridlock, and fast decisions!
Bully-Bull-Pit
The singular nature of president for attention to pass legislation and get word out.
Example of emergency power used in history:
Internment Camps (FDR), Guantanamo Bay (Bush) etc.
Who though of the Idea of the “Imperial President”? What does it mean?
Arthur Schlesinger
Means a president that abuses power during times of crisis without checks and balances.
Executive Power over Bureacracy
Change their Budget
Executive Orders
Appointment
Iron Triangle
Relationship between agencies, intrest groups, and congress in the rule making process.
Issue Networks
Loose and informal relationship between a large number of people in certain policy areas.
Fed 70 Ideas
Hamilton argues that a 4-year, energy-filled, single-leader executive branch is essential because it ensures a secure and good government.
Fed 51 Ideas
Madison believes checks and balances and the separation of powers that come out of the Constitution are beneficial to the government because it limits the power to prevent tyranny.
Fed 10
Big Republic = Combats factions
Power of Bureaucracy over Congress and Problem
Congress rules over agencies are vague, so agencies interpret them.
Problem: Unelected Policy Makers!
Administrative Discretion
The ability for bureaucrats to make choices concerning the best way to implement congressional or executive intentions (vague)
