introduction Flashcards
what article of the constitution deals with the executive
article 2
On the one hand, very powerful:
The president is head of state AND head of government –
combining the decision-making of the head of government
with the grandeur of head of state – the most powerful
person in the world…
The president is directly elected (through the Electoral
College), and has his own electoral mandate
The constitution gives the president alone executive power.
His cabinet is there to help him, not more.
On the other hand, rather weak:
The founding fathers created limited government through
checks and balances – the legislature and judiciary have
powers to weaken the president
Frequent divided government and polarisation means
gridlock and an inability to implement policies
Federalism and state rights means the president is limited
in what he can do.