presidential system of the United States of America Flashcards
How is a president is elected
By the population
Interdependence between a president and a legislative assembly.
Interdependence Between a President and Legislative Assembly
The president and the legislative assembly (like Congress) rely on each other to govern.
- The president needs the assembly to pass laws, approve budgets, and confirm appointments.
- The legislative assembly needs the president to sign laws and enforce them.
They work separately but need each other to make decisions and keep a balance of power.
what does the presidential system consist of
a president
congress : senate and house of representatives
What are the two major parties
Republican Party
Democratic Party
Election every
2 years : house of representative
4 years : presidents
6 years : senate
what is a electoral college system
The Electoral College is a method used to elect the president in some countries, like the United States. Instead of directly voting for a president, voters choose electors who then cast their votes to elect the president.
- Each state has a certain number of electors based on its population.
- Voters in each state choose electors, who then vote for the president on behalf of the state.
- The candidate who wins the most electors becomes the president.
This system aims to balance the influence of small and large states in the election process.
whats a presidential ticket
It refers to the combination of a presidential candidate** and their running mate (the vice-presidential candidate) in an election. The two candidates run together as a team on the same platform.
whats a 2 mandates
Where a president can only serve the country for twice : a maximum of 8 years
Whats a lame duck president
A “lame-duck” president refers to the period between the election day and the inauguration of the next president. During this time, the outgoing president has less political power because they are about to leave office, and the newly elected president is already preparing to take over.
WHats a distribution of powers
federal government
state government
local government
Whats the overarching principal
Its the checks and balance : where they ensure that no branch of government becomes to powerful
whats a presidential veto
Presidential Veto
A presidential veto is the power of the president to reject a bill passed by the legislature, preventing it from becoming law.
How it works:
- When Congress passes a bill, the president can either sign it into law or veto it.
- If the president vetoes the bill, it is sent back to Congress, where they can try to override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The veto is a way for the president to check the power of the legislature and prevent laws they disagree with from being enacted.
Senate and house of representatives
Law making process
Senate : need support of house of representative and president
house of commons : need support of senate and president
Executive order
Executive Order
An executive order is a directive issued by the president that manages the operations of the federal government. It has the force of law, but does not require approval from Congress.
How it works:
- The president can issue an executive order to implement or clarify existing laws, manage government agencies, or address issues that do not require new legislation.
- Executive orders can be challenged in court if they violate the Constitution or existing laws.
Example: President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 during World War II, which led to the internment of Japanese Americans in camps.
presidential pardon
Presidential Pardon
A presidential pardon is the power of the president to forgive or excuse someone for a federal crime, effectively removing any penalties or punishment associated with that crime.
How it works:
- A presidential pardon can be granted to individuals who have been convicted of a federal offense.
- The pardon can completely forgive the crime, which may restore the person’s rights, such as the right to vote or own firearms.
Example: President Gerald Ford issued a presidential pardon to Richard Nixon after the Watergate scandal, clearing him of any crimes related to the incident.
power to appoint
Power to Appoint
The power to appoint refers to the president’s authority to select individuals for key positions in the government, such as judges, cabinet members, and other federal officials.
How it works:
- The president can nominate people for various roles, like Supreme Court justices, ambassadors, and agency heads.
- While the president has the power to appoint, many appointments (like judges) require Senate confirmation to be official.
Example: President Donald Trump appointed Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, but the nomination had to be confirmed by the Senate before it became official.
bully pulpit
A bully pulpit refers to the president’s ability to use their position and public platform to promote their policies, influence public opinion, and push for legislative changes.
power to obstruction
In a political context, obstruction can happen when one party or branch of government uses its power to prevent another party or branch from advancing its agenda. This can be done through tactics like filibustering, vetoing, or withholding approval.
whats a cohabitation
Cohabitation
Cohabitation in a political context refers to a situation where the president and the majority of the legislature (e.g., the parliament) are from different political parties, leading to a divided government. This can also apply to a situation where the president and prime minister (in a parliamentary system) come from opposing parties.
How it works:
- The president might belong to one party, while the legislature (or prime minister) belongs to another. This can lead to political tensions, as the two branches may have conflicting agendas.
- Cohabitation often requires negotiation and compromise between the president and the legislature to pass laws and manage government functions.
Example: In France, cohabitation can happen when the president and the prime minister come from different parties, forcing them to work together despite political differences.
Impeach
Force out the president of the office
Impeachment
Impeachment is the process by which a government official, such as the president, can be formally charged with misconduct, potentially leading to their removal from office.
How it works:
1. House of Representatives: The process begins in the House, where members vote to impeach (charge) the official with wrongdoing. A simple majority is needed.
2. Senate: If the House votes to impeach, the case moves to the Senate, where a trial is held. Senators act as jurors, and the chief justice of the Supreme Court presides over the trial.
3. Conviction: For the official to be removed from office, the Senate must vote to convict, and this requires a two-thirds majority.
Example: In 1998, President Bill Clinton was impeached by the House on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, but he was acquitted by the Senate and remained in office.
gridlock
Gridlock
Gridlock refers to a situation in government where there is a stalemate or deadlock, often due to conflicting interests between different branches of government or political parties. It prevents the government from making decisions or passing laws.
How it works:
- Gridlock often occurs when one party controls the executive branch (e.g., the president) and the legislative branch (e.g., Congress) is controlled by another party, leading to disagreements and an inability to pass legislation.
- This results in inefficiency and can cause delays in addressing important issues or passing new laws.
Example: In the U.S., if the president and Congress are from opposing parties, they may struggle to agree on a budget, causing a government shutdown or delays in passing key legislation.
