GOV – The Executive Branch: Key Terms & Concepts
Chapters 13, 14, 15
Chapter 13 – The Presidency
Interrelated roles of the presidency – chief of state, chief executive, chief administrator,
chief diplomat, commander in chief, chief legislator, chief of party, chief citizen
Constitutional qualifications to be president
What is the reason why some object to presidential term limits (repeal of 22nd
Amendment)?
Presidential compensation
What are the constitutional provisions for succession to the presidency? (Know the first
seven [7] officials in line)
How is a president’s inability to perform his duties (incapacitated) defined?
How has the role of vice president evolved over time? What is the role today?
What were the original constitutional provisions for electing a president? How is the
Electoral College determined? What was its purpose?
What was the purpose of the 12th Amendment? What problem did it fix?
How does the Electoral College work today? Is it still relevant? What are its three [3]
major flaws pointed out by the textbook? What are the proposed reforms?
What is the role of conventions and convention delegates? Are conventions still
relevant?
Understand the four [4] stages of a presidential election (see separate worksheet under
“Government” on website).
What is the difference between primaries and caucuses? In states that use primaries,
what is the difference between “open” and “closed?” Which does Ohio use?
What are “platforms” and “planks?”
Chapter 14 – The Presidency In Action
In what ways has presidential power increased over time? What are the two competing
views the textbook gives on how presidents have viewed their power?
Executive Powers – executing the law, the ordinance power, the appointing power, the
removal power (historical debate and Supreme Court)
What is an executive order? (President Obama just announced he was going to make
several in his state of the union address. What are they?)
What’s the difference between the president negotiating a treaty and complete an
“executive agreement?”
What is significant when the president agrees to meet a diplomatic representative from
another sovereign state? Why would he not want to meet with one?
What are the president’s limitations when it comes to war? Understand the components
of the War Powers Resolution.
What is the president’s responsibilities and powers to the legislative and judicial branches
respectably?
What is a “line item veto?” When was it given to the president and why was it taken
away? What can restore it?
What are the president’s judicial powers? – Supreme Court nominations, reprieve,
pardon, commutation, amnesty
Know the permanent members (state, defense, etc.) of the president’s cabinet. What
does the constitution say about the president’s cabinet?
What is the purpose of the National Security Council? Who currently heads this
organization?
What is the purpose of the Office of Management & Budget [OMB]?
Chapter 15 – Government At Work: The Bureaucracy
Define bureaucracy/bureaucrat
How does the executive branch of the federal government fit this description?
What are the main “departments” under the president? What department was added
after September 11, 2001?
What are independent agencies? What are “quasi” legislative and judicial agencies?
Know at least three [3] regulatory agencies.
What is the civil service? How was it created and what is its purpose?
Define “spoils system” & “patronage.” What was the Pendleton Act of 1883?