1. The Powers of the President
A Level Government & Politics
Students should be able to:
Identify the key powers of the President
Explore the limitations of the power of the President
Compare and contrast the power of the executive branch with the UK

2. All executive power is vested in one President
The Executive Branch
The Executive Branch is as follows:
All executive power is vested in one President
The Executive Branch is spelt out in Article II. It gives all executive power to the President, although he can decide how best to do this

3. The Executive Branch and the Constitution
The Executive Branch is set out in the US Constitution in Article II
All executive power is vested in one President
Term limits added via amendments
Outlines the power in the Commander in Chief
Electoral College is detailed
Cabinet is not a constitutional requirement

4. Some Key Presidents Richard M Nixon Ronald Reagan Bill J Clinton
George Washington
First President
Bill of Rights
Two term convention
Abraham Lincoln
Abolished Slavery
President during Civil War
Franklin D Roosevelt
Longest serving 12 years
The New Deal
Richard M Nixon
Watergate
New Federalism
Ronald Reagan
Iran-Contra Affair
Robert Bork – SC Nominee
Bill J Clinton
Failed Impeachment
Failed Healthcare Reform

5. George W Bush Barack H Obama Some Key Presidents Obamacare Gun Control
9/11
Anti terror legislation
Education & AIDS
War on Terror
2008 Financial Crisis
George W Bush
Obamacare
Gun Control
Immigration Reform
Osama Bin Laden
Bailouts
Barack H Obama

6. Role of the President Head of State Chief Diplomat Chief Legislator
Commander in Chief
Chief Executive

7. Roles of the President Head of State
The President is responsible for representing the nation, be that in times of crisis, or celebration.
Many of the roles that the Queen performs for the United Kingdom, the President performs for the US, including, meeting foreign leaders, representing the US abroad, conducting ceremonies

8. Roles of the President Chief Diplomat
The President is at the top of the diplomatic chain up from ambassadors through to those working in the state department.
He is the one who can pick up the phone and persuade foreign leaders to change their mind
He can also enter into agreements with other countries through his authority

9. Roles of the President Chief Legislator
The President has a political agenda and is elected with a programme to carry out
He is the one who will write laws for Congress to pass, as well as sign all legislation before it becomes law

10. Roles of the President Commander in Chief Chief Executive
The Constitution gives the role of Commander in Chief to the President. He is responsible for the US armed forces and it is ultimately his decision how and when US forces are deployed
Chief Executive
The President is the head of the entire Federal Bureaucracy and many people within the Federal Bureaucracy serve at the pleasure of the President.

11. Increasing Role of the President
They are the only national political institution. They can act quickly and decisively in times of crisis.
They are also the only nationally elected politician, and can therefore claim a mandate like no other politician. A senator’s mandate is for their state only and a congressmen is to their district.
EBBS AND FLOWS
Crisis – Flows towards POTUS
Peace – Congress Reasserts itself

12. Powers of the President
Propose Legislation
Bush – No Child Left Behind or Obama with Obamacare
Submit the Annual Budget
Sign Legislation
Veto Legislation
Bush Stem Cell Research
Act as Chief Executive
Nominations Chief
Commander in Chief
Negotiate Treaties
Pardon

13. Theories on Presidential Power
There are two main theories on Presidential Power
Persuasion
Theorised by Neustadt
President is held back by Checks and Balances making it difficult to work effectively
Imperial
Coined by Schlesinger
Refers to the Court of the Presidency, like an Emperor
Very common after the N

14. UK US Comparison to the UK
There are large differences between the executives of the UK and US.
The UK executive power is often more nuanced than that of the US which benefits from large international recognition UK US
No term limits
Stronger domestically than the US
Better rewards system
Can be Presidential
Stronger in foreign policy
More international recognition

15. The Powers of the President
A Level Government & Politics
Students should be able to:
Identify the key powers of the President
Explore the limitations of the power of the President
Compare and contrast the power of the executive branch with the UK