Chapter 12 - Study Guide

Chapter 12 - Study Guide - Chapter Twelve The Presidency...


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POLS 101I – American National Government Hagan Chapter Twelve The Presidency: Leading the Nation Learning Objectives Having read the chapter, the students should be able to do each of the following: 1. Trace the historical evolution of presidential powers and explain why a conception of an activist president replaced earlier theories of presidential power. 2. Review the strategies employed by candidates in the presidential nomination process; note the factors that influence the process; and contrast the nomination strategies with the strategies and influences characterizing the general election. 3. List the major organizations which make up the Executive Office of the President and explain each organization’s area of policy expertise and its powers under the modern presidency. 4. Assess the effects of staffing on the president’s control of executive authority. 5. Discuss and explain the factors that make for a successful presidency. 6. Summarize the two presidencies thesis. Explain the strengths and weaknesses of the thesis, citing historical examples where appropriate. 7. List the major stipulations of the War Powers Act and discuss the extent to which the legislation has accomplished its purpose. 8. Analyze the relationship between the executive and Congress and assess the ability of either institution to set policy independently of the other. Focus and Main Points An historical perspective of the evolution of the presidency is offered in this chapter, as well as an explanation of the steady increase in its power, surpassing the original intent of the Framers of the U.S. Constitution. The author also examines the presidential selection process and the staffing of the modern presidency, both of which contribute to the president’s prominence in the American political system. The main points in this chapter are as follows: Public expectations, national crises, and changing national and world conditions have required the presidency to become a more powerful institution. Underlying this development is the public support that the president acquires from being the only nationally elected public official. The modern presidential election campaign is a marathon affair in which self-selected candidates must prepare for a strong start in the nominating contests and center their general election strategies on media, issues, and a baseline of support. The extended campaign process heightens the public’s sense that the presidency is at the center of the American political system. The modern presidency could not operate without a large staff of assistants, experts, and high-level managers, but the sheer size of this staff makes it impossible for the president to exercise complete control over it. The president’s election by national vote and position as singular chief executive ensure that others
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This note was uploaded on 10/10/2011 for the course POLS 101 taught by Professor Hamilton,t during the Summer '08 term at College of Southern Idaho.

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