Origins of the Presidency
What were the Framers’ concerns about executive power? How did they attempt to
ameliorate these concerns?
They were worried about an active executive and were trying to avoid too much centralized power. To solve this they implemented Separations of Powers.
What was Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal and why was it transformative?
FDR’s New Deal involved social programs to aid the unemployed, elderly, farmers and businesses. It helped improve the lives of people suffering from the events of depression.
What were the different aspects of the presidency that were debated at the Constitutional
Convention?
Length of residential term, power of veto, impeachment, eligibility for reelection, president's role in legislative, how the president is elected.
How does Skowronek distinguish between power and authority?
Skowronek says power is both formal and informal. Authority is about legitimacy.
What is the role of the Chief of Staff?
To keep tabs on the White House and is the 2nd most important person in the White House.
What were the three theories of presidential power we discussed and what distinguishes
them?
Constitutional theory- strictly limited and constrained. Stewardship theory- Presidents may not do what is expressingly forbidden. Prerogative theory- Presidents may occasionally act against the law.
What are Lowi’s “three general laws of politico-dynamics of the Second Republic?”
Law of Effort, Law of Outcomes, and Law of Succession
How has the relationship between the president and the American people along with the
political parties changed?
Presidents have come to rely more on popular opinion since the political parties have weakened.
What are the president's basic powers and roles?
The president's basic powers and roles were to be the face of the U.S., to negotiate treaties, to nominate ambassadors, to receive ambassadors and executive agreements.
What are the differences between Skowronek’s persistent, emergent, and recurrent
patterns?
The persistent patterns are formal powers of the office. The emergent powers are an expansion of the institutional presidency and the powers of the office. The recurrent patterns are opportunities to change government and party systems.
How did Jackson deal with the National Bank?
Andrew Jackson actively worked to dismantle the Second Bank of the United States by vetoing a bill to re-charter it, and then further weakened the bank by withdrawing all federal deposits and placing them in smaller state banks.
What was the Emancipation Proclamation?
A document issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, that declared all enslaved people in the rebellious states to be free.
How is the “Founding Perspective” of the presidency (what we called the “First
Constitution) distinct from the “Modern Perspective” (what we called the “Second
Constitution”) of the 20th Century?
The modern presidency is a much different office than what it was designed for. The president is the central actor in American political life. Modern presidents are much more influential in the legislative process than the framers originally intended.
What are the basic differences between these secular periods of politics: patrician politics; partisan politics; pluralist politics; and the plebiscitary presidency?
Patrician politics: The presidency is about “interpersonal relationships among elites”. Government is seen as deliberation. Partisan politics: Foundation of the presidency is a collection of local party machines. Conflict between parties is more broadly organized. Pluralist politics: Increasing nationalization of politics benefits the president. “Steward of national policy making”. Plebiscitary politics: Technological change and increasing international interdependence transforms the presidency. The “permanent campaign”.
What was the National Recovery Administration and why did it collapse?
It established codes of fair practices that would set prices, production levels, minimum wages, and maximum hours within each industry. The NRA violated the separation of power and regulated intrastate commerce