Term
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Definition
Various executive powers given to the President in carrying out his duties under Article II. Includes delegating the President "the executive Power"; naming him "commander in Chief of the Army and Navy"; empowering the President to "grant Reprieves and Pardons"; empowering the President to "nominate and appoint Ambassadors, Judges, all other Officers of the US"; etc. The man has made the office of the executive branch, due to strong or weak leadership. Strong president is active and intiates program (referred to as "presidential government"). Others restrain from the power and are weak leaders. There are judicial limits on power. |
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Term
| Presidential Power: Prerogative Theory |
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Definition
| Initiated by John Locke, holds that chief executive can exercise power if needed to protect and preserve the nation. First developed idea in Britain. One of any conceptualizations developed to justify actions against domestic and foreign enemies. Sometimes violate the Constitution. Highly controversial. Critics argue that they must not make dicitorial actions thinking that they know whats best for the nation. However, no official provisions have been made against it. |
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Term
| Presidential Power: Stewardship Theory |
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Definition
| View that holds that the President has the right and the duty to do anything needed to safeguard the nation and protect the people (unless specifically forbidden by Constitution). Usually think of Theodore Roosevelt. Strong prresidents have often acted on this assumed power without theorizing. Those who follow are "active" whereas opposite (Taftian/Contractual) are "passive". |
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Term
| Presidential Power: Taftian or Contractual Theory |
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Definition
| View that holds that the President is limited specifically to powers granted in the Constitution and by statue. AKA literalists. Believe that every executive power must be traced to some specific grant of power (or reasonably implied). Mainly associated with William Howard Taft. Follow the constrains of the Constitution-limited powers. Described as "passive" whereas opposite (Stewardship) are "active". |
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Term
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Definition
| President has the power to appoint a vacant seat in an executive office when the Senate is not in session. If the Senate was in session, they could overrule the appointment and force the President to choose a new person. While they are in recession, the seat will hold. Senate has the power to withold the salary of the member if they so choose from the time he/she is appointed until the next session begins (January after an election). The appointed person usually has money and is there to support the president or is a strong leader, so generally wouldn't care about losing salary. |
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Term
| White House Chief of Staff |
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Definition
| Assistant to the president who heads the White House Office. Generally provides link between President and Congress/the press/Cabinet members/etc. Many presidents delegate much of their decision power to chief of staff. Presidents rely heavily on them in recent years in making decisions/enforcing policy. Typically are a close personal friend and leading memeber of the Presidents party. Many ways function as a "de facto" president (takes the role of president). |
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Term
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Definition
| Any governmental agency that carries out policity on day-to-day basis, uses standardized procedures, has hierarchy, based on specialization of duties. Often used to designate the administrative or executive branch of government. To many critics, it exemplifies a system with excessive growth of agencies and concentration of power in officials. To safeguard this and irresponsible bureaucracy there are legislative oversights and judicial review of administrative actions. |
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Term
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Definition
| Collective term for people employed by the government who aren't members of the military. Those who gain governmental employment through the merit system. NOT CIVIL SERVANTS: elective officials high-ranking policy-making officers, and members of the judiciary. Restricted in scope of political activites and cannot strike (though allowed to join labor organizations). Estimated 17 million people employed directly or indirectly by the government. |
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Term
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Definition
| The selection, retention and promotion of government employees based off ability, knowledge, and skills after fair and open competition. Related to civil service, but emphasizes positive programs of personnel management. Looks towards development of a career service, training, merit pay, and retirement programs. |
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