Political Science /Roles, Qualifications, and Powers of the U.S. President Part 2
Roles, Qualifications, and Powers of the U.S. President Part 2
This deck covers the unwritten qualifications, powers, and responsibilities of the U.S. President, including executive orders, military powers, and the structure of the Executive Office of the President.
Unwritten qualifications of the President:
- presidential backgrounds
- personal qualities (likable, persuasive, able to communicate their ideas effectively, etc.)
- appear dignified, confident, poised, and should demonstrate a certain degree of charisma
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Key Terms
Term
Definition
Unwritten qualifications of the President:
- presidential backgrounds
- personal qualities (likable, persuasive, able to communicate their ideas effectively, etc.)
- appear dignified, confident...
What are executive orders?
(Chief executive) A formal rule or regulation instructing executive branch officials on how to carry out their jobs; have the force of law; give the p...
What is executive privilege?
(Chief executive) Allows a president to refuse to release information to Congress or a court; claim this in order to shield information in the interes...
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What are executive agreements?
(Foreign policy leader) Agreements between a president and the head of a foreign government
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Diplomatic recognition
(Foreign policy leader) The president has the power to formally recognize the legitimacy of a foreign government
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Military powers
(Commander in chief) The president has the responsibility to ensure the defense and security of the nation and its interests around the world; Congres...
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Unwritten qualifications of the President: | - presidential backgrounds
- personal qualities (likable, persuasive, able to communicate their ideas effectively, etc.)
- appear dignified, confident, poised, and should demonstrate a certain degree of charisma |
What are executive orders? | (Chief executive) A formal rule or regulation instructing executive branch officials on how to carry out their jobs; have the force of law; give the president great power to interpret laws passed by Congress |
What is executive privilege? | (Chief executive) Allows a president to refuse to release information to Congress or a court; claim this in order to shield information in the interest of national security |
What are executive agreements? | (Foreign policy leader) Agreements between a president and the head of a foreign government |
Diplomatic recognition | (Foreign policy leader) The president has the power to formally recognize the legitimacy of a foreign government |
Military powers | (Commander in chief) The president has the responsibility to ensure the defense and security of the nation and its interests around the world; Congress gives president power to declare war > must report to Congress within 48 hours to explain the reasons for the action |
Legislative powers of the president: | - chief agenda setter (annual state of the Union address and the federal budget proposal)
- main power = veto |
Judicial powers of the president: | - may nominate the people who become federal judges and justices
- may alter the sentences of people convicted of crimes through their powers of clemency, or mercy |
Postpones the carrying out of a sentence, or the length of time a person is put in jail | Reprieve |
Releases a convicted criminal from having to fulfill a sentence | Pardon |
What does it mean to offer amnesty? | It grants a group of offenders a general pardon for offenses committed |
2 main informal powers of the president: | 1. Access to the media
2. The president's position as party leader |
Formal checks on the President's powers: | - subject to Judicial review
- checked by Congress (Congress can choose to override presidential veto) |
Informal checks on the President's powers: | - primary source: the media
- public approval |
What are the 2 factors that have driven the changes in Presidential power? | 1. The growth of government itself in response to new challenges and changing situations
2. The growth of the nation as a world power |
Executive Office of the President | EOP consists of a number of separate offices that help the president formulate policy; didn't exist 100 years ago; many of the top officials belong here; often some of the most influential people in a president's administration |
The White House Office | The heart of the EOP; consists of the president's key personal and political staff |
Who manages the White House Office? | The chief of staff (who is appointed by the president) |
National Security Council | NSC; one of the most important parts of the EOP; brings together the top military, foreign affairs, and intelligence officials in the administration to coordinate U.S. national security policy |
Council of Economic Advisors | Congress created the CEA; provides the president with expert analysis of the economy; its members examine the economy to see how trends and events may affect the president's economic policy as well as how economic policy is affecting the economy; consists of 3 members nominated by the president |
Office of Management and Budget | OMB; help develop the deferral budget and to oversee its execution by the agencies in the executive branch; largest organization in the EOP (500+ employees) |