Chapter Study OutlineIntroduction Show
Although recent presidents have encountered numerous political troubles, the institution of the American presidency has grown in power and prominence over the past century. Designed as a “unitary” office, the presidency possesses a capacity for quick decision and action. In the twentieth century, a strong executive emerged and was institutionalized in American national politics as the power of the president, the office of the presidency and the executive branch, and popular expectations for strong presidential leadership all increased. Even though the framers anticipated that Congress would be the predominant branch of government, contemporary presidents wield formidable formal and informal resources of governance. 1. The Constitutional Basis of the Presidency What was the character of the presidency that the Constitution established? How did the process of presidential selection help to define this character? How have changes in presidential selection affected presidential leadership?
2. The Constitutional Powers of the Presidency With what types of constitutional powers is the president endowed? How have these powers changed over time?
3. The Rise of Presidential Government What was the president’s role during the era of legislative supremacy from 1800 to 1933? How did Franklin Roosevelt transform the power of the presidency and facilitate the rise of presidential government?
4. Presidential Government With the locus of policy decision making shifting from the Congress to the executive branch, how is presidential government performed and legitimated? What are the formal resources of presidential power? What are the contemporary political bases of presidential government? And how do presidents lead the expanded administrative state?
5. Presidential Power: Myths and Realities Must presidential power increase during times of emergency? Are presidents better guardians of the public interest than Congress? Is the presidency a more democratic branch of government than the Congress? That is, does the president have closer ties to the people than Congress does?
How does the president influence congressional decision making?The President, however, can influence and shape legislation by a threat of a veto. By threatening a veto, the President can persuade legislators to alter the content of the bill to be more acceptable to the President. Congress can override a veto by passing the act by a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate.
Which combination would the president most likely use to convince Congress?the office of the president is important and the nation needs stronger leadership. Which combination would the president most likely use to convince Congress to pass an economic stimulus bill? leading their political party.
What must the president deliver to Congress from time to time?The President “shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.” Article II, Section 3, Clause 1.
Which of the following explains how Congress would most likely respond if it were concerned about the slight increase in spending over time as indicated by the bar chart?Which of the following explains how Congress would most likely respond if it were concerned about the slight increase in spending over time, as indicated by the bar chart? Congress could vote to reduce spending on the Department of Homeland Security in the next year's budget.
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