The Presidency (Definitions) Flashcards
State of the Union Adress
President lays out legislative agenda for the year in a joint session of Congress
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Part of President’s bureaucracy, draws up annual federal budget
Executive Office of the President (EXOP)
Top staff agencies in the White House that help the President carry out duties of office. Functions of advice, co-ordination and administrative support
Chief Executive
Role of the President. Means he is in charge of the entire executive branch and has final say over any decisions
Commander in Chief
President’s role as head of the armed forces, which allows him to deploy ground troops and order air strikes without congressional approval
Head of State
Power of President to be spokesperson for the nation in foreign policy and be the figurehead for foreign state visits
Acting President
Power assumed by Vice President when the President is declared or declares himself disabled
Federal Bureaucracy
Unelected, administrative strand of Executive branch. Made up of departments, agencies and commissions that carry out policy on a day to day basis
Office of Personnel Management
Manages all the people in the federal bureaucracy, ensuring they are selected on merit rather than political persuasion
Spoils system
Where jobs in the federal bureaucracy are given to political supporters of the President rather than on merit
‘Going native’
Political appointees cease to be advocates for the President and instead promote their agency
The Cabinet
Heads of Executive departments selected by the President to aid him in decision making and implementation of policy
Cabinet Councils
Sub-cabinets that are responsible for a specific policy area. Fewer members, so more efficient than full cabinet
Singular Executive
All Executive power is vested in President, departments merely help him manage the workload
White House Office
One of the 10 offices that make up EXOP. Includes President’s most trusted and closest aides. Has 16 sub-offices
White House Chief of Staff
Most important member of federal bureaucracy; important policy adviser and safety net for President
National Security Council
Established in 1947 to help the President coordinate foreign, security and defence policy
Presidential persuasion
President offers incentives and punishments to Congress in order to pass his proposed legislation
The Partisan Presidency
Theory that President’s are increasingly dogmatic in following the party line and unwilling to co-operate with the other party
The Imperial Presidency
Presidency characterised by misuse and abuse of power, with use of excessive secrecy. Used by most Presidents from FDR up until Nixon
The post-imperial Presidency
Greater role of oversight from Congress, where the President is confined to roles set out in Constitution
