The Executive Branch Of Government: The President (An Imperial Or Imperilled Presidency)

Question 1

What is the concept of the “imperial presidency”?

Answer 1

The idea that the presidency has an emperor-like character, dominating Congress and conducting foreign policy independently of the legislature.

Question 2

What is the concept of the “imperilled presidency”?

Answer 2

The idea that the presidency is weak and its effectiveness is limited by Congress and a large federal bureaucracy.

Question 3

Who claimed in 1973 that Richard Nixon’s presidency was imperial in nature?

Answer 3

Professor Arthur Schlesinger.

Question 4

What actions by Nixon did Schlesinger point to as examples of an imperial presidency?

Answer 4

Nixon authorized military intervention in Cambodia and Laos without telling Congress, continued the Vietnam War without congressional approval, and was involved in the Watergate scandal.

Question 5

What act did Congress pass in response to Nixon’s presidency to restrict presidential power?

Answer 5

The War Powers Act of 1973.

Question 6

Who argued that the presidency was actually “imperilled”?

Answer 6

President Gerald Ford.

Question 7

What reasons did Ford give for the presidency being imperilled?

Answer 7

He claimed it was limited by an overly assertive Congress and a bloated federal bureaucracy.

Question 8

How did the War Powers Act 1973 intend to limit presidential power?

Answer 8

By requiring presidents to obtain congressional approval before ordering military action.

Question 9

What recent presidents have been argued to have increased the power of the presidency?

Answer 9

George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump.

Question 10

What book by Cal Mackenzie highlighted the weaknesses of the modern presidency?

Answer 10

“The Imperilled Presidency: Presidential Leadership in the 21st Century.”

Question 11

Which president’s use of US troops in NATO peacekeeping missions in the 1990s was argued to be a violation of the War Powers Act?

Answer 11

President Bill Clinton.

Question 12

What emergency powers did George W. Bush use following the 9/11 terror attacks?

Answer 12

He authorized extraordinary rendition, detention without trial at Guantanamo Bay, and interrogation techniques criticized as torture.

Question 13

What was one significant use of emergency powers by Donald Trump?

Answer 13

Declaring a national emergency in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Question 14

What does the National Emergencies Act 1976 require for declarations of an emergency?

Answer 14

A legal justification and a review by Congress every 6 months.

Question 15

How many national emergencies remained current in 2020?

Answer 15

More than 30.

Question 16

What actions demonstrate the rise of direct authority by presidents?

Answer 16

The use of executive orders, signing statements, and executive agreements.

Question 17

Why might the use of direct authority be considered a sign of presidential weakness?

Answer 17

It is often used as an alternative to legislation when lacking support from Congress and can be easily overridden by future presidents.

Question 18

What evidence suggests that opposition from Congress can imperil the presidency?

Answer 18

Frequent gridlock, budgetary compromises to avoid government shutdowns, and impeachment proceedings.

Question 19

What event illustrates the limitations of Congress in opposing the president if one chamber is controlled by the president’s party?

Answer 19

Trump’s 2020 trial and acquittal by the Republican-controlled Senate.

Question 20

What term describes the reduced effectiveness of a president towards the end of their second term?

Answer 20

Lame duck.

Question 21

Which president had a more imperial style, particularly in foreign policy, compared to Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford?

Answer 21

Ronald Reagan.

Question 22

How has the expansion of the federal government since the 1970s generally affected presidential power?

Answer 22

It has enhanced the power of the president.