US presidency

Welcome to the Study of the US Presidency!

In this chapter, we are exploring one of the most famous—and often misunderstood—jobs in the world. You’ve probably seen the President of the United States (POTUS) on the news, but Politics A Level is about looking behind the curtain. We’ll learn how much power they actually have, how they use it, and why they sometimes find it impossible to get anything done. Whether you’re aiming for an A* or just trying to wrap your head around the basics, these notes will help you master the "Executive Branch."

1. Formal Sources of Presidential Power

The US Constitution is the rulebook for the presidency. In Article II, it gives the President two main "hats" or roles.

A. Head of State (The Ceremonial Hat)

This is the President acting as the symbol of the country. Think of this as the "King or Queen" role.
Example: Awarding medals, hosting foreign leaders at the White House, or comforting the nation after a tragedy like 9/11.

B. Head of Government (The Boss Hat)

This is the President running the country day-to-day.
Key Formal Powers include:
1. Commander in Chief: Leading the military.
2. Veto Power: The ability to say "no" to laws passed by Congress.
3. Appointing Officials: Picking Supreme Court judges and Cabinet members (though the Senate must approve them).
4. Treaty Making: Negotiating deals with other countries.

Quick Review:
Formal powers are written in the Constitution. They give the President the authority to act, but as we will see, authority doesn't always equal success!

2. Informal Sources of Power: Beyond the Rulebook

Don’t worry if the formal powers seem a bit limited—modern Presidents have found ways to expand their influence. These are called informal powers.

The Electoral Mandate

When a President wins by a huge margin, they claim a mandate. This is the idea that "the people have spoken, so Congress should do what I want." However, if the win was narrow, this power is very weak.

The Power of Persuasion

A famous political scientist, Richard Neustadt, said that presidential power is actually "the power to persuade." Because the US system has "separation of powers," the President can't just order Congress around. They have to use their charm, their "bully pulpit" (media attention), and political deals to get their way.
Analogy: Think of the President as a team captain, not a dictator. They can’t force the team to play perfectly; they have to inspire and convince them.

Executive Orders

These are like "presidential instructions" that have the force of law without needing Congress to vote. They are powerful but "brittle"—a new President can cancel them with the stroke of a pen.
Example: President Biden used executive orders to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement on his first day in office.

Memory Aid: Remember M.O.P.
Mandate, Orders (Executive), Persuasion.

3. The President’s Support Network (EXOP and Cabinet)

The President doesn't work alone. They have two main groups helping them.

The Cabinet

The heads of the 15 executive departments (like State, Defense, and Treasury). While they are important, most modern Presidents rely more on their personal advisors than the Cabinet.
Mistake to avoid: Don't confuse the US Cabinet with the UK Cabinet. In the US, the Cabinet members cannot be members of Congress, and they don't have a "collective responsibility" to vote together.

The Executive Office of the President (EXOP)

This is the "President’s Brain." It consists of several offices, but you need to know these three:
1. The White House Office (WHO): The President’s closest personal assistants and the Chief of Staff. They are the "gatekeepers."
2. National Security Council (NSC): Helps the President with foreign policy and military decisions.
3. Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Manages the President's spending plans and the national budget.

Did you know?
The Chief of Staff is often called the "second most powerful person in Washington" because they decide who gets to see the President and what information reaches their desk!

4. Relationships and Limitations

This is the most important part for your exam. The President is constantly in a "tug-of-war" with other branches of government.

The Relationship with Congress

Success often depends on Unified Government (President’s party controls Congress) versus Divided Government (Opposition party controls at least one house of Congress).
In a Divided Government, we often see gridlock, where nothing gets done because neither side will compromise.

The Relationship with the Supreme Court

The Court can use Judicial Review to declare presidential actions unconstitutional.
Example: The Supreme Court blocked President Trump’s attempt to end the DACA program for young immigrants.

Other Limitations

1. The Constitution: Limits the President to two terms (22nd Amendment).
2. The "Lame Duck" period: The time between a new President being elected and the old one leaving. The outgoing President has almost no power during this time.
3. Public Opinion: If the President's approval ratings are low, Congress is much more likely to defy them.

Key Takeaway:
The President’s power is not fixed. It grows and shrinks based on the economy, national events (like a war or pandemic), and their relationship with Congress.

5. The Big Debate: Imperial vs. Imperilled

You will often be asked to evaluate how powerful the presidency is. Students usually look at two theories:

The Imperial Presidency

The idea that the President has become too powerful, acting like an "emperor." This usually happens in foreign policy, where Presidents often send troops into combat without a formal declaration of war from Congress.
Evidence: Increased use of Executive Orders and "Executive Privilege" to keep secrets from Congress.

The Imperilled Presidency

The opposite idea: that the President is actually "weak" and "imperilled" (in danger of failing). This is usually due to domestic politics.
Evidence: Frequent gridlock in Congress, the difficulty of passing budgets, and the Supreme Court striking down laws.

Don't worry if this seems tricky at first! Just remember:
Presidents are usually Imperial in foreign policy (abroad) but Imperilled in domestic policy (at home).

6. Summary Review Box

Key Terms to use in your essays:
• Bipartisanship: When both parties work together (rare nowadays!).
• Commander in Chief: The President's role as head of the military.
• Divided Government: When the President and Congress are from different parties.
• EXOP: The specialized offices that support the President.
• Veto: The President's power to reject a bill.

Common Mistakes:
• Thinking the President can make any law they want. (They can't! Only Congress makes laws).
• Forgetting that the Senate must approve judicial appointments.
• Ignoring the context—always mention the specific President (Clinton, Bush, Obama, Trump, or Biden) to show you know recent history since 1992!