unit 5: media, presidency, bureaucracy

Question 1

what’s a gatekeeper?

Answer 1

influence what subjects become national issues, set the agenda

Question 2

what’s a scorekeeper?

Answer 2

track political reputations and candidates

Question 3

what’s a watchdog?

Answer 3

investigates personalities and exposes scandals

Question 4

what are the formal powers of the president?

Answer 4

enforce laws, national security, legislative, nominations, grant pardons

Question 5

what is included in the national security role of the president?

Answer 5

commander-in-chief, make treaties with foreign nations (2/3 senate too)

Question 6

what is included in the legislative role of the president?

Answer 6

veto bills, state of the union address

Question 7

what is included in the nominations (with Senate approval) role of the president?

Answer 7

administration/bureaucratic nominations, judicial nominations

Question 8

what was the outcome of the war powers resolution in 1973

Answer 8

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

Question 9

what are the informal/implied powers of the president?

Answer 9

power to persuade, executive agreement, signing statement, executive order

Question 10

what is the power to persuade?

Answer 10

president uses media to persuade Congress to act, “Bully Pulpit”

Question 11

what is an executive agreement>

Answer 11

presidential agreement between US and another country that doesn’t require Congress approval

Question 12

what is a signing statement?

Answer 12

written message issued by a president upon signing a bill, indicates interpretation of the law, explains how they will enforce the law

Question 13

what is an executive order?

Answer 13

a presidential order that has the force of law and doesn’t require congressional approval

Question 14

what is in the 25th amendment?

Answer 14

Vice president is after president in succession

Question 15

who follows the vice president in succession?

Answer 15

speaker of the house, president pro tempore of the senate, secretary of state, treasury, defense

Question 16

what is the cabinet?

Answer 16

major exec offices, direct accountability to pres

Question 17

what are regulatory agencies

Answer 17

specific type of independent executive agency, create regulations to fill in laws created by Congress

Question 18

what are independent executive agencies?

Answer 18

farther control from pres, not as partisan

Question 19

what are gov corporations?

Answer 19

business-like activities, provide vital services

Question 20

what are appropriations?

Answer 20

congress funds for bureaucracy

Question 21

what is the difference between delegated and discretionary authority?

Answer 21

delegated: power given to bureaucracy by congress
discretionary: bureaucracy’s ability to decide to take specific actions when implementing laws

Question 22

what happened in the Pendleton Civil Service Act?

Answer 22

rid of spoils system, gov jobs must be awarded by merit rather than patronage

Question 23

what is the Hatch Act?

Answer 23

fed gov employees can not engage in partisan political activity

Question 24

what is the buddy system?

Answer 24

job description tailor-made for a specific person

Question 25

what is an iron triangle?

Answer 25

relationship between, interest group, agency, and committee
complicated nature of politics, more competing forces

Question 26

what is an issue network?

Answer 26

groups that debate together/come together on certain topics, usually temporary

Question 27

what is the revolving door?

Answer 27

individuals moving between job in public sector and private sector

Question 28

what did Hamilton talk about in Fed 70?

Answer 28

the executive branch, presidency

Question 29

in what branch are disagreements beneficial, which branch are they harmful?

Answer 29

legislative, executive

Question 30

why is it important to have only one president?

Answer 30

a feeble executive implies a feeble execution, more timely