Chapter 6: The Presidency As head of the executive branch of the United States, the president fills both informal and formal roles and wields power that affects our government at every level.

I. Roles of the President Official Roles Chief Executive: Laws implemented Commander in Chief: Order troops into action. Foreign Policy: Plans relations with other countries. Diplomacy: Art of negotiating. Unofficial Roles Chief of State: Symbolic figurehead Party Leader: Shapes party platform Chief Citizen: Models of good citizenship

II. Formal Characteristics of the Presidency Written Qualifications 35 yrs. Old Lived in U.S. for 14 yrs. Natural-born U.S. citizen Term of Office 2 four-year terms 22nd Amendment 1951 Election to Office Electoral College (538) Succession Process of who comes after Vice Prez, Speaker, Pro tempore, Sec. State Salary & Benefits $400,000/yr & travel, staff, insurance

I. Executive Powers Appointment & Removal Executive Orders Appoints over 3,000 people & can remove them Executive Orders Formal rule or regulation instructing executive branch officials on how to carry out their jobs. Executive Privilege Refuse to release info to Congress or a court. Diplomatic Powers Diplomatic Recognition: Formally recognize the legitimacy of a foreign gov’t. Military Powers Send troops for 60-90 days w/out Congressional consent. Troops sent over 200 times but only 5 wars.

II. Legislative & Judicial Powers Legislative Powers Proposes budget & legislation Judicial Powers: Nominate judges & alter sentences. Reprieve: Postpones the carrying out of a sentence. Pardon: Releases a convicted criminal from having to fulfill a sentence. Amnesty: Grants a group of offenders a general pardon. Commute: Reduce a person’s sentence.

I. Executive office of the President Administration: All the people who work for the executive branch. Executive Office of the President: Offices that help the president formulate policy. White House Office: President’s key personal & political staff. Chief of Staff: Manages the everyday operations of the White House. National Security Council: Top military, foreign affairs, & intelligence officials. Council of Economic Advisers: Expert analysis of the economy. Office of Management & Budget: Help develop the federal budget & its execution.

Chp.7 The Executive Branch The executive branch relies on a large federal bureaucracy to carry out its work and raise revenue.

I. What is the Federal Bureaucracy? Any organization having the following features: Clear formal structure Division of labor Set of rules & procedures by which it operates. Bureaucrats Administrators & skilled, expert workers who carry out tasks of the fed. Bureaucracy.

II. The Civil Service Civil Service The Spoils System Civilians who carry out the work of the fed. Gov’t. The Spoils System Gov’t. jobs given out as political rewards for supporting the Prez. “To the victors go the spoils.” Inexperienced & inefficient The Civil Service Today Pendleton Civil Service Act 90% of jobs are based on merit through standardized examinations.

I. Paying for Government Income Taxes: Tax on a person’s or business’ income. Progressive Tax: Rate increases as amount taxable increases. Payroll Taxes: Money withheld from a person’s paycheck Regressive Tax: Tax applied only up to a certain amount . Proportional Tax: Tax applied at same rate to all incomes. Other Sources of Revenue Tariffs, estate tax, gift tax, Loan interest Borrowing Money Bond: Borrower pays back money at a certain time + interest Federal Debt: Money gov’t. borrowed and not yet repaid.

II. Government Spending Mandatory Spending Required by laws & not subject to the annual budget process. Ex. Social Security Discretionary Spending Subject to the annual budget process Ex. Defense, Education, Aid

Chapter 9: The Political Process The work of government is accomplished through the political process. Public opinion, interest groups, and political parties all play a vital role in the process.

I. What is Public Opinion? Public Opinion: Combined views of a segment of society on an issue. Public Policy: Choices the gov’t. makes and its actions in response to an issue. Expressing Public Opinion Letters, blogs, protests, interest groups, voting Political Socialization: Process by which people acquire political beliefs. Family School & Work Other Personal Factors: Age, race, gender, religion, etc.

I. Interest Groups & what they Do Special Interest Group: Association of people who hold similar views. Political Action Committee (PACs): Organization to raise money for candidates Organizing Interests: Anyone can start one. Encourage Participation in politics Supplying Info to voters and politicians

II. Types of Interest Groups Agricultural Groups: Farm bureau, potato Council Business Groups: Chamber of Commerce, Snack Food Association Labor Groups: Unions Cause-Based Groups: PETA, MADD, Societal Groups: Organization for Women, AARP Professional Groups: AMA, AMBA

II. American Two-Party System Party Systems One-party system: 1 party controls gov’t. Two-party system: 2 parties compete to control gov’t. Multiparty system: Several parties compete for control (Most common around the world). American Political Parties Third Party: Any party that isn’t one of the major two political parties. Independent Candidates: Candidate not associated with any party.

II. Voting & Voter Behavior Voter Turnout 66% of Americans vote for Prez. 40% in non-prez elections. Voting Requirements. U.S. Citizen & 18 yrs. Old Resident of state you’re voting in. Voter Behavior (4 Factors) Party identification Issues Candidate’s background Voter’s background