Interpretations and Debates Over the Presidency

Question 1

What is the concept of the imperial presidency? - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 1

The imperial presidency outlines the increase of authority and power of the President, often characterised by a misuse of power and a domination of Congress.

Question 2

What is the concept of the imperilled presidency? - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 2

The imperilled presidency is a type of presidency with limited powers and is characterised by an inability to operate government with Congress. Sees Congress infringing on the powers of the President.

Question 3

How has Congress withdrawn influence from the President through legislation in the 1970s? (2) - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 3

Case Act 1972 - made so that Congress had to be informed about all executive agreements.
War Powers Act 1973 - Congress had to authorise all uses of troops.

Question 4

What evidence is there of imperial presidencies? - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 4

Nixon and war in Cambodia (expanded from Vietnam), Bush and the Patriot Act/War on Terror, Obama in Syria, Trump and funding for his wall, low levels of scrutiny under united government due to partisanship.

Question 5

What evidence is there of imperilled presidencies? - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 5

Case Act, War Powers Act, power of the purse and government shutdowns, divided government/gridlock and lame duck presidents all indicate imperilled presidencies.

Question 6

What evidence is there of Clinton acting imperially? - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 6

Clinton wised to launch a 20,000 troop invasion of Haiti without Congressional approval, he did not ask Congress to declare war when committing troops to the Serbian War, use of counter-terrorism strikes to detract from the Lewinsky affair.

Question 7

What evidence is there of Clinton acting as an imperilled President? - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 7

Clinton’s proposed Haitian invasion never materialised, with Jimmy Carter mediating the crisis and gaining credit. Clinton also failed to pass healthcare reforms despite united government.

Question 8

What evidence is there of Bush acting imperially? - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 8

Bush came to the Presidency in controversial fashion, having won <50% of the vote. He led the War on Terror and increased homeland security measures, although war in Iraq was fought on false pretences. Dominated Congress for 6/8 years, held terror suspects at Guantanamo.

Question 9

What evidence is there of Bush acting in an imperilled fashion? - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 9

Bush was unable to pass his social security reforms, faced a Democrat-controlled Congress in his final 2 years, faced scrutiny and poor approval ratings following Hurricane Katrina disaster.

Question 10

What evidence is there of Obama acting imperially? - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 10

Obama extended the Patriot Act for 4 years, led drone strikes in the Middle East, launched attacks on Afghanistan, sanctioned death of alleged terrorist (US Citizen) without trial, execution of Bin Laden, passed Obamacare and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Question 11

What evidence is there of Obama acting as an imperilled President? - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 11

Obama served 6 years of divided government, could not close Guantanamo Bay due to budgetary restrictions, Obamacare was diluted by compromise, faced Supreme Court cases against recess appointments and his DREAMERS programme for immigrants that overturned each.

Question 12

What evidence is there of Trump acting imperially? - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 12

Trump overturned many EAs such as the Iran Nuclear Deal, NAFTA and the Paris Agreement, assassinated General Soleimani without Congressional approval, unable to be impeached by Senate, nominated 3 SC Justices including Coney-Barrett when RBG died.

Question 13

What evidence is there of Trump acting as an imperilled President? - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 13

Trump was twice impeached by the House, unable to repeal Obamacare due to opposition within his own party, 35 day govt shutdown was longest in history, could not coordinate COVID response, had reputation damaged by allegations of collusion with Russia.

Question 14

What differences are there between the UK and US in how the PM/President are chosen? - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 14

UK: drawn from parliament, leader of the largest party becomes PM and does not need to be elected.
US: elected directly by the whole country with a mandate from the people.

Question 15

What differences are there between the impacts of elections in the UK and US? - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 15

UK - electors vote for representatives in their local area to the legislature rather than for the Executive. PM not directly elected.
US - separate elections for Congress and Presidency.

Question 16

What differences are there between the nature of powers in the UK and US? - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 16

UK - has fusion of powers between Parliament and the Executive. PM and cabinet are all MPs.
US - strict separation of powers.

Question 17

What differences are there between the UK and US in terms of the security/removal of the Executive? - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 17

UK - can be removed either by their own party, or by a vote of no confidence in Parliament.
US - position is not dependent on the President’s party or control of either House of Congress.

Question 18

What differences exist between the relationships with the wider executive between the UK and US? - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 18

UK - system of cabinet government sees decisions taken collectively. However, cabinets can force removal of their PM, as occurred with Blair and Thatcher.
US - President is sole leader of the Executive, delegating power as they wish from their direct mandate from the public.

Question 19

Describe the role as chief diplomat for the PM and President respectively - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 19

PM: main negotiator with other nations, does not have unlimited power as parliament can reject treaties with financial aspects. Usually consults Parliament.
President: main negotiator with other nations, Senate can reject treaties negotiated by the President.

Question 20

Describe the role as the Commander in Chief of the PM and President respectively - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 20

PM: Can order military action through the royal prerogative but requires parliamentary approval.
President: President given role under Constitution but is slightly limited by the War Powers Act.

Question 21

Describe the role as chief legislator of the PM and President respectively - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 21

PM: dominant in legislative process, based on position as leader of largest party in the Commons which they control with patronage and whips.
President: dominant in legislative process, based on national mandate and can recommend legislation but faces opposition from Congress which checks the President.

Question 22

What arguments exist that the PM is more powerful than the President? What counter arguments exist to this? - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 22

The PM finds it easier to pass legislation through Parliament than the President does through Congress (due to whips, patronage and majorities), there are fewer checks and balances, a fusion of powers and a presidential style has been adopted by recent PMs, marginalising Cabinet.
Majority size/divided party can marginalise a PM’s power, while imperial Presidents are hugely influential.

Question 23

What differences exist in the scrutiny the PM and President are subjected to? - Interpretations and Debates

Answer 23

PM can face scrutiny in legislature whereas President cannot, Parliament can remove a President through a VONC whereas a President cannot, US legislature has stronger constitutional scrutiny powers such as over treaties and appointments whereas PM can operate within prerogative powers, US Presidents more accountable due to separation of powers.