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America’s Democratic Republic Chapter 12: The Presidency
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman In This Chapter What role the chief executive plays in democratic and eighteenth-century republican doctrines Why the presidency grew to be a powerful office How presidents play many roles Why presidents often disagree with Congress How democratic the presidency is—whether presidents listen and respond to the public
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The Framers’ Perception Saw the need for a strong executive Thought this was the branch with the most potential for abuse, so Constrained by Other branches Electoral College impeachment
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman The Expanding Presidency Founders’ Conception A single presidency Chosen by the Electoral College Fixed term of office Eligible for more than one term Impeachment Veto Power May appoint and advisory council
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman The Expanding Presidency The Dormant Presidency Structural Factors Nation did not require a strong presidency prior to the 20 th century America as a world power Corporate-dominated economy Social consequences of both
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman The Expanding Presidency 20 th -Century Transformation New structural conditions Corporate monopolies World Wars Depression Civil Rights
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The Expanding Presidency Importance of Individual Presidents? Mixture of Personal qualities Personality Character Structural factors Foreign policy Economic crisis
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman The Powers and Roles of the President Ceremonial Domestic Policy Leader Legislative Leader Manager of the Economy Chief Executive Foreign Policy and Military Leader Commander-in-Chief Head of the Political Party
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The Institutional Presidency Definition: the number and responsibilities of presidential advisors and their functions White House Staff Executive Office of the President Vice President The Cabinet
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The President & Congress: Perpetual Tug-of-War Conflict By Constitutional Design Separation of powers Constitutional grant of authority Shared power Checks and balances Separate elections President = every four years House = every two years Senate = staggered; one-third during presidential election years
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman The President & Congress: Perpetual Tug-of-War Outcomes Different constituencies Gridlock
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman The President & Congress: Perpetual Tug-of-War Presidential Success With Congress? Party and ideology Foreign policy and national security issues Vetoes Popularity with American people
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The President and the People: An Evolving Relationship Getting Closer to the People Framers President as an elite leader Electoral College Indirect democratic control of the presidency Woodrow Wilson Given credit for tying the president more closely to the people
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman The President and the People: An Evolving Relationship Leading Public Opinion Changes in communication Radio Television Internet
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman The President and the People: An Evolving Relationship Responding to the Public Electoral competition = presidents who share public’s policy preferences Polling Finding what the people want Learning which symbols and words can sell the president’s agenda
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman The President and the People: An Evolving Relationship Presidential Popularity Affects the influence of the president with Congress, the executive branch and elected officials at all levels What can impact it? Bad economic news War
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The Presidency and the Democratic Republic Framers Did not intend for the office to be democratic Envisioned an office detached from national policy making The Electoral College not withstanding, presidents are elected by the people
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Summary Constitutional presidential powers include legislative, appointment, diplomatic, and military responsibilities Presidents have become more powerful in times of national emergency Initially, presidents did not make direct policy appeals to the public; this is not the case in modern times Presidential organization and personalities affect the effectiveness of their time in office Presidents act independently from Congress in making policy through executive orders and executive agreements
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Question 1 Formal directives to executive branch departments and agencies that have the force of law are called ___________. Presidential laws Executive directives Executive orders Legislation
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Answer Formal directives to executive branch departments and agencies that have the force of law are called ___________. Presidential laws Executive directives Executive orders Legislation
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Question 2 The Constitution calls for the president to address ______ in the State of the Union address. Congress The Supreme Court The people The executive branch
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Answer The Constitution calls for the president to address ______ in the State of the Union address. Congress The Supreme Court The people The executive branch
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Question 3 NAFTA was passed during the __________ administration. Nixon Carter Reagan Clinton
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Answer NAFTA was passed during the __________ administration. Nixon Carter Reagan Clinton
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Question 4 Which vice president became president due to a presidential resignation? Washington Ford Carter Biden
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Answer Which vice president became president due to a presidential resignation? Washington Ford Carter Biden
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Question 5 How has the modern presidency changed from the original intent of the framers?