President and the
Executive Branch
Imperial threat or imperiled public servant
This presentation is the property of Dr. Kevin Parsneau for use by him and his current students.
No other person may use or reprint without his permission.
Introduction to the Presidency
• Presidents are frequently called “the most powerful
man in the world.” What do we expect of presidents?
• What are the President’s powers and can presidents
live up to our expectations?
• Why are some presidents more powerful than others?
• Some of the framers of the Constitution were
concerned that presidents would be too powerful,
while others were concerned that presidents would not
have enough power. Are modern presidents too
powerful or not powerful enough?
Presidential Power
• What do we expect presidents to do?
• What’s in the Constitution to get the job
done?
"I did not usurp power, but I did greatly broaden
the use of executive power.“
—President Theodore Roosevelt
Stewardship Theory of the President:
Categories of Presidential Power
• Expressed
• Delegated powers
• Inherent Powers
Constitutional Powers of the President
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Veto (legislative power)
Commander in Chief of the Military
Chief Executive
Reprieves and pardons
Treaties
Appoint Federal Judges
State of the Union Address
Can “intent” to tell us presidential powers?
• There was disagreement among the framers of the
Constitution.
– Madison and Jefferson disagreed with Hamilton and
Washington
– Hamilton disagreed with himself at different times
• There may be no universal, best interpretation.
• Presidential powers will be political defined by
presidents in conflict with others.
Roles of the President
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Head of State
Head of Government
Head of Party
Chief Diplomat
Other sources of presidential power
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Persuasion and Bargaining
Public Presidency
Unilateral Actor
Administrative Presidency
Congressional Support
Foreign Policy
War Powers
Richard Neustadt (1960)
• Wield power through:
– Command
– Persuasion
– Bargaining
• Presidents have to rely on bargaining and
building a professional reputation.
Public Presidency
• “Bully Pulpit”
• Set the Public Agenda
– Mandate
– Honeymoon
– Presidential Approval
– Rally “Around the Flag” Effect
Presidential Unilateral Action
• Executive Orders
• Executive Agreements
President and Congress
• Unified Government
• Divided Government
• Presidential Coattails
Other sources of presidential power
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Persuasion and Bargaining
Public Presidency
Unilateral Actor
Administrative Presidency
Congressional Support
Foreign Policy
War Powers
War Powers Act (1973)
• President may commit armed forces
– Declaration of war
– Specific statutory authorization
– National emergency (attack on the U.S. , its
territories, possessions or armed forces)
• Must consult with Congress “at every possible
instance”
• 60-Day Clock for Reauthorization
Final Comments on Presidential Power
• Imperial of Imperiled Presidency?
– Secrecy
– Abuse
– No checks and balances
Final Comments on Presidential Power
• Imperial of Imperiled Presidency?
– Public Expectations
– Vast Size and Complexity
– Party decline and lower party discipline
– Mass media and end of the “Golden Era”
Does the President have too much power?
• Have we moved away from “checks and
balances”?
• Is it good that the President is the center of
attention and action?
• Would it be better for it to be otherwise?
• What is the alternative in the modern political
environment?