unit 5: media, presidency, bureaucracy Flashcards
what’s a gatekeeper?
influence what subjects become national issues, set the agenda
what’s a scorekeeper?
track political reputations and candidates
what’s a watchdog?
investigates personalities and exposes scandals
what are the formal powers of the president?
enforce laws, national security, legislative, nominations, grant pardons
what is included in the national security role of the president?
commander-in-chief, make treaties with foreign nations (2/3 senate too)
what is included in the legislative role of the president?
veto bills, state of the union address
what is included in the nominations (with Senate approval) role of the president?
administration/bureaucratic nominations, judicial nominations
what was the outcome of the war powers resolution in 1973
constitution gives Congress power to declare war, but presidents can commit troops and equipment, Congress is required to approve beyond 60 days
check on president
what are the informal/implied powers of the president?
power to persuade, executive agreement, signing statement, executive order
what is the power to persuade?
president uses media to persuade Congress to act, “Bully Pulpit”
what is an executive agreement>
presidential agreement between US and another country that doesn’t require Congress approval
what is a signing statement?
written message issued by a president upon signing a bill, indicates interpretation of the law, explains how they will enforce the law
what is an executive order?
a presidential order that has the force of law and doesn’t require congressional approval
what is in the 25th amendment?
Vice president is after president in succession
who follows the vice president in succession?
speaker of the house, president pro tempore of the senate, secretary of state, treasury, defense
what is the cabinet?
major exec offices, direct accountability to pres
what are regulatory agencies
specific type of independent executive agency, create regulations to fill in laws created by Congress
what are independent executive agencies?
farther control from pres, not as partisan
what are gov corporations?
business-like activities, provide vital services
what are appropriations?
congress funds for bureaucracy
what is the difference between delegated and discretionary authority?
delegated: power given to bureaucracy by congress
discretionary: bureaucracy’s ability to decide to take specific actions when implementing laws
what happened in the Pendleton Civil Service Act?
rid of spoils system, gov jobs must be awarded by merit rather than patronage
what is the Hatch Act?
fed gov employees can not engage in partisan political activity
what is the buddy system?
job description tailor-made for a specific person
what is an iron triangle?
relationship between, interest group, agency, and committee
complicated nature of politics, more competing forces
what is an issue network?
groups that debate together/come together on certain topics, usually temporary
what is the revolving door?
individuals moving between job in public sector and private sector
what did Hamilton talk about in Fed 70?
the executive branch, presidency
in what branch are disagreements beneficial, which branch are they harmful?
legislative, executive
why is it important to have only one president?
a feeble executive implies a feeble execution, more timely
