US Chapter 4 - Presidency

THE PRESIDENCY
Key Topics:
 What kind of presidency did the Founding Father envisage?
 What are the formal powers of the president?
 What are the powers of the vice president?
 What is the cabinet, how is it appointed, how is it used and how important is it?
 What role is played by the executive office of the President?
 How can the president get his way with Congress?
 What forms of direct authority does the President possess?
 What are the theories of the presidential power?
 What is the president’s role in foreign policy?
 What limitations exist on presidential power?
 What factors effect presidential success?
 How do UK PM and US Pres’ offices compare?



Creation of the Presidency
FF created president who was head of state and head of government – they are
personification of nation
FF created a singular executive – ‘The executive power should be vested in the
President of the US’. The cabinet cannot be a decision-making body.
They created an indirectly elected president – chosen by Electors in Electoral
College system; has been adapted into direct election but aspects of system still
remain.
Created a limited/checked president. Feared tyranny, especially from the executive
branch, as they escaped King George III in England.




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