The Presidency

Question 1

What powers does the president have as head of government

Answer 1

Appoints heads of departments

Call congress back into session during breaks in times of national emergency

Question 2

What are the presidente executive powers

Answer 2

Executive orders 
Presidential memoranda
Presidential proclamations
National security directives 
Impoundment
Signing statements

Question 3

What is an executive order

Answer 3

A directive issued to officers of the executive branch, requiring them to take or stop taking an action, alter policy, change management practices or accept a delegation of authority

Question 4

What is presidential memoranda

Answer 4

A Pronouncement directed to executive branch officials

Question 5

What is a presidential proclamation

Answer 5

When a president states a condition, declares law and requires obedience or recognises an event (also pardons)
It is binding on the public

Question 6

What are national security directives

Answer 6

Formal declarations to an agency or department head of a presidential national security decision, requiring follow-up

Question 7

What is impoundment

Answer 7

When a president refuses to spend funds appropriated by congress

Question 8

Advantages of executive powers

Answer 8

Quick in an emergency situation
Pay debts to important groups without committing many resources
Don’t attract much attention
Signing statements prevent vetoes of complex/end of session legislation

Question 9

Disadvantages of executive powers

Answer 9

Too much power in executive hands?
Harder for successors to govern
Undermine existing administrative law procedures
East for next administration to undo
Closed policy making process = bad policy?

Question 10

How is the Vice President important

Answer 10

Balances the ticket
Congressional liaison
Taking responsibility for specific areas of policy
Attack dog - criticise opponents more forcefully
Stand in for president
Cheerleader- take lead on potentially unpopular policy

Question 11

What are problems with the federal bureaucracy

Answer 11

Clientelism
Imperialism 
Parochialism
Incrementalism 
Arbitrariness 
Waste

Question 12

What is clientelism

Answer 12

Agencies tend to serve the interests of those who they are supposed to oversee, protecting them at the expense of the broader public interest

Question 13

What is imperialism

Answer 13

Agencies invariably seek to expand their powers and responsibilities at the expense of other agencies and programmes, notwithstanding the issue of how public needs are best met

Question 14

What is parochialism

Answer 14

Governments tend to focus narrowly on their own goals rather than the bid picture of government or the national interest as a whole

Question 15

What is incrementalism

Answer 15

Most bureaucratic agencies are not renowned for creative or imaginative operations, instead acting slowly and cautiously and generally resisting major changes

Question 16

What is arbitrariness

Answer 16

In applying abstract rules to concrete cases, agencies often ignore the particular concerns or specific merits of those affected by the rules

Question 17

What does waste mean in the bureaucracy

Answer 17

Given the size and routinised procedures, bureaucracies tend to use resources less efficiently than private sector organisations

Question 18

What are the roles of the president

Answer 18

Head of state 
Head of government
Chief legislature 
Chief diplomat
Commander in chief
Party leader

Question 19

Benefits of the bureaucracy

Answer 19

Representativeness
Respect for domestic values
Professionalism

Question 20

How does the bureaucracy improve representativeness

Answer 20

Post people believe that bureaucrats political views tend, on the whole, to mirror those of the American publics more broadly

Question 21

How does the federal bureaucracy improve respect for domestic values

Answer 21

Federal bureaucrats tend to vest both their own neutrality and domestic values more broadly with great significance
If their elected leaders are Republicans they will pursue the goals that the Republicans establish
They will do the same for democrats if they are elected

Question 22

How does the federal bureaucracy improve professionalism

Answer 22

Many federal bureaucrats are well-educated specialists in technical and managerial positions, white collar professionals who take their responsibilities seriously, as lawyers or analysts,rather than partisans
No matter who the incumbent is most bureaucrats received- readily- advice and guidance from elected officials and act in ways consistent with their professional training

Question 23

What are functions of the cabinet

Answer 23

To advise the president on policy within areas covered by their departments
To oversea day to day enforcement and administration of federal within executive departments
To deal with specific areas of national and international affairs

Question 24

What are the features of cabinet meetings

Answer 24

Often receive criticism
Frequency can vary (Reagan 36 - Clinton 6 in Y1)
Frequency decreases (Reagan 36-21-12-12)
Cabinet little to contribute to discussion
Has functions for the president
Has functions for cabinet

Question 25

What functions do cabinet meetings have for the president

Answer 25

``` Team spirit Collegial and consultative appearance Information giving and gathering Forum to debate policy 'Big picture' items Check on legislation Push for congressional action See cabinet members ```

Question 26

What functions do cabinet meetings have for the cabinet

Answer 26

``` Get-to-know you session Resolve inter-departmental disputed Networking Opportunities to 'catch' president Increased standing in departments ```

Question 27

What are the executive office of the presidency's main responsibilities

Answer 27

Preparing the budget Planing long term economic strategies Co-ordinating the country's diplomatic and military policies Running the White House office, where the presidents advisors work with him to develop the administrations political strategies, provide advice on response to emergencies and other duties

Question 28

What part of the executive office of the presidency is responsible for preparing the budget

Answer 28

The office of management and budget

Question 29

What part of the executive office of the presidency is responsible for planning long term economic strategies

Answer 29

The council of economic advisors

Question 30

What part of the executive office of the presidency is responsible for co-ordinating the country's diplomatic and military policies

Answer 30

The national security council

Question 31

What advantages does the congress have in the president

Answer 31

``` Role is to check the executive Independent from the executive Power of the purse Approve/refuse appointments Override presidential veto ```

Question 32

What powers does the president have as head of state

Answer 32

appointment of ambassadors | Emergency powers

Question 33

What powers does the president have as chief executive

Answer 33

``` Policy making Control of agencies like the CIA Appointments Control of bureaucracy Control of cabinet Budget ```

Question 34

What powers does the president have as commander in chief

Answer 34

Control of the armed forces

Question 35

What powers does the president have as chief diplomat

Answer 35

Negotiate treaties

Question 36

What powers does the president have as chief legislator

Answer 36

Veto legislation | Policy making

Question 37

What areas check the presidents power

Answer 37

``` Congress Supreme Court Public opinion Media Pressure groups Federal bureaucracy Other factors ```

Question 38

What checks does congress provide on the president

Answer 38

``` Amend/block legislation Amend budget Override veto Investigation/impeachment/removal Senate confirms appointments of executive officials Senate must confirm appointments of federal judges Senate ratifies treaties Congress declares war Power of the purse ```

Question 39

What checks does the Supreme Court provide on the president

Answer 39

Declare acts unconstitutional

Question 40

How does the president check the presidents power

Answer 40

The public elect the president so a president must keep them happy in order to re-elected (in their first term)

Question 41

Who does the media check the presidents power

Answer 41

The media can influence public opinion and the public elect the president

Question 42

How can pressure groups check the president

Answer 42

They can mobilise public opinion either for the president himself or his policies They can inline cd people's vote on presidential initiatives They can get people to sing petitions to have issues voted on

Question 44

How can the federal bureaucracy check the presidents power

Answer 44

The federal bureaucracy is made up of thousands of people, meaning it is very difficult to get them to do anything

Question 45

What are national American powers

Answer 45

``` Coin money Regulate interstate and foreign trade Raise and maintain armed forces Declare war Govern U.S territories and admit new States Conduct foreign relations ```

Question 46

What powers do states have in the U.S

Answer 46

Regulate trade and business in the state Establish public schools Pass licence requirements for professionals Regulate alcoholic beverages Conduct elections Establish local governments

Question 47

What are concurrent powers for States and the national government in the U.S

Answer 47

``` Levy and collect taxes Borrow money Establish courts Define crimes and set punishments Claim private property for public use ```

Question 48

What are advantages of federalism

Answer 48

Fosters state loyalties Practices pragmatism Creates laboratories of democracy - experiment with policies Leads to political stability Encourages pluralism Ensures separation of powers and prevents tyranny

Question 49

What are advantages of federalism

Answer 49

Foster state loyalties Practises pragmatism Creates laboratories of democracy - experiment with policies Leads to political stability Encourages pluralism Endures separation of powers and prevents tyranny

Question 50

What are the disadvantages of federalism

Answer 50

Prevents the creation of national policy | Leads to lack of accountability