...Effects of the expansion of Presidential power, and an argument for placing limits and rescinding the additional authority following a crisis By Timothy C. Sollenberger In the 200 years since the ratification of the Constitution, there has been an expansion in the executive branch power base. The majority of this expansion has occurred in the last 70 years. The changes themselves can be attributed to growth of the United States as a world power with gains in military prestige, diplomatic negotiations, as well as economic activities and interests globally which have perpetuated wars, and perceived emergencies. The current media formats and reporting have also had a profound influence on Presidential popularity which has exponentially increased the perceived notion that recent presidents are empowered by the people to make decisions which should require the acquiescence of Congress or the States. Presidents such as Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Franklin D. Roosevelt did make advantageous gains for the country in different areas, but the lack of dissemination of information to the elected legislature showed a general disregard for appropriate etiquette and initial public approval. The powers and duties of the president are outlined in Article II of the Constitution. Although the Constitution grants far fewer powers to the president in Article II than it does to Congress in Article I, the...
Words: 1237 - Pages: 5
...Presidential power has been an important topic of consideration and debate since the founding of the nation. Many presidents have tested the limits of the Constitutional provisions regarding the authorities of the executive branch, and in response, both the judicial and legislative branches have imposed the proper checks and balances via court rulings and newly legislated limitations. In modern American politics, many question the Constitutional legitimacy of various executive actions taken by the most recent presidents. However, the expansion of presidential power is certainly not unique to Presidents Bush or Obama. Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, presidents have gradually increased their powers in response to wars, terrorism, and congressional gridlock, among other things. Furthermore, the broad definition of the executive branch’s duties found in the second article of the Constitution has led to contradicting interpretations about the proper applications of the executive powers. As...
Words: 1465 - Pages: 6
...with an Imperial Presidency. An Imperial Presidency is one that is developed through an over expansion of the powers of the president. An Imperial Presidency is a presidency where the balance of power is shifted towards the Executive Branch. The Presidents have used such tools as the constitution, media and pop culture, monetary freedom, and committees and executive orders to expand the presidential powers. Presidents George W. Bush and Barrack H. Obama have utilized these tools to further their agendas over stepping their constitutional boundaries, congress and the people of the United States. There are many ramifications that come with the expansion of the presidential power. The Constitution, executive order, the media and pop culture, and monetary power are all tools utilized by the president to expand their powers. The Constitution is one of the main tools utilized by the presidents to expand power. Even though the presidential power is clearly outlined in Article II of The Constitution, its vagueness has provided enough wiggle room to stretch their power beyond its implementation. Therefore, one of the tools utilized by the President was actually the document created to prevent such activity from happening. In depth, Article II section I grants, “The Executive Power; followed by Article II section II witch gives the president to elect officials. This allows the President the power to choose personnel and enable them to help set sail towards a bureaucracy and their personal...
Words: 1571 - Pages: 7
...D. Roosevelt Crises has often triggered expansion of presidential power True The president has the power to appoint His cabinet Although governors have the power to pardon, the president does not. False The Twenty-Second Amendment to the constitution limits a president from serving in office for more than _____ years. Ten If the president dies in office and the vice presidency is vacant the next person in line of succession is the Speaker of the House The process of bringing charges against the president or vice president is called Impeachment A two-thirds majority vote in the Senate is required to remove the president after the. . . True Surge in presidential popularity due to intentional events are fairly long-lasting. False Vice presidential vacancies are filled by presidential nomination with confirmation of the house False Over the course of American history, the executive branch has assumed considerable. . . True Under the Articles of confederation, the executive branch was quite weak. False President may be removed from office by Impeachment in the House and trial in the senate. Presidents usually enjoy their highest popularity ratings at the start of their administration. True The constitutional qualifications for a president include that the president must be Over thirty-five years old, a natural-born citizen, and a resident for fourteen years. The president’s power to make treaties is limited by The advice...
Words: 311 - Pages: 2
...Republican Sen. James Jeffords quit his party, the economy slipped into recession, and Bush's popularity began to fall. All this changed dramatically after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S.A. With great skill and determination, Bush rallied the nation together, taking swift action against perceived terrorist threats, building an international coalition against terrorism, and taking the war to the perpetrators of the acts in Afghanistan. His job approval ratings soared to record levels, and he gained new respect from leaders and the public. The opening vignette thus illustrates how external events influence the presidential office. Especially during times of war and national crisis, the natural capacities of the institution are enhanced, as the public looks to the President during emergencies, and the person holding it has their power increased, more easily overcoming the constraints placed upon it by the Constitution and other structural and political factors. In wartime, presidents generally have their way with Congress on defense and foreign policy matters, and are tempted to govern by executive orders and agreements, with minimal...
Words: 2712 - Pages: 11
...Executive Power and the Constitution Michael Gray HIS 303: The American Constitution Professor Ginger Jarvis November 29, 2012 Executive Power and the Constitution “The Constitution has never greatly bothered any wartime president,” wrote Francis Biddle, Attorney General during World War II, in his memoirs (Smith, 1999, pg.24). Biddle’s comment was in reflection on President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s decision to relocate Japanese-Americans. An examination of American history reveals the Constitution does not appear to bother president during periods of national survival. In fact, Presidents seize crisis in domestic and foreign affairs as the opportunity to expand executive power. This paper provides a brief history on powers in the Constitution, examines use of executive power in domestic and foreign affairs, and concludes with an argument on how the issue should be interpreted. Framers of the Constitution believed separation of powers and a system of checks and balances would keep one branch of government from having more power then the others. Noah Feldman (2006) writes “nothing is more basic to the operation of a constitutional government than the way it allocates power” (Our Presidential Era, para.2). Constitutional Framers created three separate branches of government independent of each other. According to Cornell University Law School (2012), the first three articles of the “Constitution outlines the branches of the U.S. Government...
Words: 3315 - Pages: 14
...Examining discursive change, however, provides a different explanation. The pattern of expansion and contraction of our franchise is not economically driven, rather, it is an issue of collective identity. All people are born into an identity. Some identities, like the color of our skin, is not a choice. Others, like our beliefs or our friend groups, are choices we make. The right to vote gives individuals an identity that extends beyond themselves. Because discourse is a consequence of voting rights, voting rights in turn, respond to discourse. Examining the process of suffrage reveals a unique pattern. Using the elements found in Tulis, Robertson, and Lakoff, evidence and patterns in Presidential inaugural addresses suggest that discursive...
Words: 916 - Pages: 4
...Presidential Impact Report James Knox Polk America has had countless presidents throughout the centuries. Many of them have had a lasting impact on American culture and its government. Over the years, as or society grew and had more cultural influences, our government has changed as well. James Knox Polk, one of the few “pre-modern” presidents, influenced the American government by creating new forms of executive authority through his presidency. President John Polk was a democrat who demonstrated the use of authority not explicitly granted to him, executive power, and that sometime its plays an essential role in government. Executive power is almost giving the president complete authority at times until a limit is met. His view-point on executive power could be described as a privilege by the president to be used by certain means necessary. He exhibits the use of his executive privilege to show that the power has a meaningful role in government in that there are certain circumstances that require the use of such power. Over the course of Polk’s presidency, he experienced many complications, but they are almost insignificant when compared to his achievements. For starters, his election was one of the closest in American history. The desire for additional territory in the United States was high, even after the most recent annexation of the Texas territory. Soon, America had acquired the Oregon territory known as the 49th parallel. The next action was to gain ownership...
Words: 690 - Pages: 3
...Thomas Jefferson’s Presidential policies and actions slightly stabilize the nation with land expansion and the Embargo Act but strongly did not stabilized the United States government with domestic and foreign affairs. Thomas Jefferson slightly stabilized and somewhat destabilized the nation with land expansion, the Embargo Act, and Judicial Review. Thomas Jefferson was elected to the presidency on March 4, 1801 and had two terms till March 4, 1809, and was elected largely due to the Three-Fifths Compromise. The Three-Fifths Compromise was a compromise in the Constitution between the anti-slavery north and pro-slavery south on the issue of slaves counting in the population. The final decision which Jefferson was helped by Jefferson’s ideology...
Words: 1003 - Pages: 5
...As a vice-president and president (1824 to 1832) he reshaped and redirected the course of American expansion and democracy. Jackson believed the president is the direct representative of the people. He was the man of action and shrewd politician. He knew how to manipulate men and could be affable or abusive or abusive as the occasion demanded.(nation of nations, 2005 ) Andrew Jackson came to personify the new democratic culture. Through his forceful leadership he significantly expanded the powers of the presidency. Jackson threatened to use force against South Carolina when it tried to nullify the federal tariff using john c. Calhoun’s theory of nullification that is that a state convention could nullify a federal law. He vetoed a bill to recharter the second bank of the United States and destroyed the bank by removing its federal deposits. He called for legislation to remove native peoples west to of the Mississippi voiding treaties found legitimate by the Supreme Court during the winter months of 1835-36 to ensure the greatest suffering to these peoples. One quarter of the tribal people died in transit to Oklahoma during this move. Jacksonian era went through the deep and rapid changes. The revolution in markets brought both economic expansion and periodic depressions as its citizens competed for status and wealth. He converted the veto into an effective presidential power. The development of modern presidency began with Andrew Jackson. Jackson's triumph at New Orleans quickly...
Words: 1079 - Pages: 5
...The Presidency of Andrew Jackson – The Rise of Mass Democracy |Andrew Jackson – Biographical snap shot | |-His parents had been immigrants | |-At 14 he fought in the American Revolution | |-Experienced dueling a couple of times | |-War hero (Battle of New Orleans and Indian Wars in Florida) | |-Great ethical man – person life was beyond reproach | |-A lot of integrity | |-Not another guy from the Aristocracy | | | |Practiced law in Tennessee, Jackson had become a wealthy land speculator and slave owner, was first man elected from Tennessee to | |the House of Representatives, and he served briefly in the Senate. A major general in...
Words: 1807 - Pages: 8
...1960’s- change and turmoil Kennedy- narrow victory in 1960 over Nixon- controversial because of his Catholic background- rebellious Congress defeated many of his proposals- alliance between Republicans and Southern Democrats New Frontier- advocated welfare expansion, namely in healthcare, education, and urban development- many proposals defeated Also advocated for a civil rights bill Military buildup-believer in the “missile gap”- USSR had more missiles than US, US needed to catch up Kept wages and prices low to spur economic growth- also helped by economic stimulus funding Failed to pass a tax cut 1961- Presidential Commission on the Status of Women- focused on gender equality- 1963- Equal Pay Act Warren Court- very influential period for the Supreme Court, especially for civil rights, due process expansion and the right to privacy Reynolds v. Sims-1964- Congressional districts must be composed of roughly equal population- rural voters previously had more influence because their Congressional districts were smaller while urban districts were larger Mapp v. Ohio- police could not use evidence unlawfully obtained Gideon v. Wainwright- right to an attorney Miranda v. Arizona- Miranda rights Engel v. Vitale and Abington School District v. Schempp- schools could not mandate or encourage prayer or Bible study Griswold v. Connecticut- states could not ban birth control- restricted right to privacy Cold War 1959- Castro takes over Cuba, turns communist, allied with Soviets-...
Words: 891 - Pages: 4
...democracy; while the renouncing of secession by the South marked a definite triumph for Nationalism. As well, the government was involved in altercations of its own. During reconstruction, the legislative and executive branches eventually came to blows over the use of power. The nation was being altered by forces which caused, and later repaired, a broken Union. The first of these "forces", was the expansion of democracy. As early as 1862, Lincoln was taking a major step in that direction. On September 22, Lincoln announced the freeing of all slaves in areas not in Union control. Although the proclamation did not free all slaves everywhere, it was the action that would push Congress to pass the thirteenth amendment in 1865. The amendment, ratified later in 1865, stated that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude . . . shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." It seemed democracy had triumphed by giving freedom to slaves, but the amendment was not complete. It only stopped slavery, and made no provisions for citizenship; therefore, blacks were still not considered United States citizens. The fourteenth amendment was the democratic expansion that fixed that problem. Originally passed to "put a number of matters beyond the control or discretion of the president," the amendment also made "All persons born or naturalized in the United States . . . citizens of the United States." It also provided that, "No...
Words: 1187 - Pages: 5
...Textbook Assignments **All of the material below is on the digital history (see course home page) **You will be tested on all of this material on the respective quizzes Native Americans (Read this for quiz 1) “ The First Americans” (Not a link…go to the assigned website) European Society (Read this for quiz 1) Colonial Era/Exploration and Discovery The Significance of 1492 European Commercial and Financial Expansion Slavery and Spanish Colonization The Meaning of America The Black Legend Colonial Era/17th Century (Read below for quiz 1) European Colonization North of Mexico Spanish Colonization English Settlement Colonial Era/17 century (Read below for quiz 2) English Colonization Begins Life in Early Virginia Slavery Takes Root in Colonial Virginia Founding New England The Puritans The Puritan Idea of the Covenant Regional Contrasts Dimensions of Change in Colonial New England The Salem Witch Scare Slavery in the Colonial North Struggles for Power in Colonial America Diversity in Colonial America The Middle Colonies: New York Fear of Slave Revolts The Middle Colonies: William Penn’s Holy Commonwealth The Southernmost Colonies: The Carolinas and Georgia Colonial Administration (Read below for quiz 2) No readings th Road to Revolution (Read for quiz 3) Colonial America/18th Century The The The The The The Emergence of New Ideas about Personal Liberties and Constitutional Rights Great Awakening Seven Years’ War Rise of Antislavery Sentiment Fate of Native Americans Road to Revolution...
Words: 1135 - Pages: 5
...One of the most important issues concerning the presidency is how much power he should have in regard to what the Constitution allows. Several presidents have been criticized for surpassing what the Constitution allows, but none more than Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. Andrew Jackson was hailed as a champion of the common man, however his questionable use of the veto and harsh policies led to severe criticism. Abraham Lincoln was the most divisive president in history and his stance on slavery changed the course of the United States’ history. Theodore Roosevelt was a man who believed in “speaking softly and carrying a big stick” and this stance let him get what he wanted, no matter the repercussions. Presidential...
Words: 1322 - Pages: 6
