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Summary USA Presidency Essay Plans
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- USA Politics
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- PEARSON (PEARSON)
Essay plans for USA presidency.
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Presidency:1. Evaluate the significance of the formal powers of the President as outlined in the Constitution.
AGREE DISAGREE
Head of state carries out all the ceremonial and Not that significant in recent years as Trump did
diplomatic duties normally carried out by the not play a significant role in terms of the Covid-
monarch. Act as a mourner and comforter in 19 pandemic as well as the death of George
chief. George W Bush and 9/11- acted as hope. Floyd.
Able to possess the power of pardons and use it There is limited scope for this. The power of
to varying degrees. Ford pardoned his pardon is limited to cases involved in federal or
predecessor Nixon and Biden has pardoned 9 state offences. It cannot overturn a civil case or a
people to this date. decision made by a state or federal agency.
They are able to propose legislation to the It is not as significance as it largely relies on
houses. This is done through the state of union cooperation and agreement from Congress. In
address. In 2018, Trump used his address to his 2019 state of the Union address, Trump
promise a crackdown on immigration, keeping called on Congress to pass legislation to lower
Guantanemo bay open and increasing USA’s prescription drug prices but no action was taken.
nuclear arsenal.
2. Evaluate the significance of the informal powers of the President.
AGREE DISAGREE
Executive orders- this allows the president to act Limited scope- it can only be used to implement
quickly and decisively without the need for a policies that fall within the presidential authority.
lengthy legislative process. This is helpful for They cannot override existing laws or
times of crisis. constitutional provisions. Trump had to be
Trump used this to enforce a travel ban that reminded that he could not impose tariffs on
protected the nation from foreign terrorists. imports from foreign countries- this was the role
of Congress.
Powers of persuasion. It allows for them to take Can cause polarisation between individuals and
action and build consensus. political parties. This leads to a hinderance of
progression on important issues.
The cabinet- allows for action to be prompted the constitution grants all executive power to the
and to ensure coherent ideas. They can be held president, the cabinet officers have no power
accountable for their department and ensure that directed to them directly. They are able to select
its running smoothly. Biden’s cabinet played a individuals who are aligned with their policy and
huge role in terms of his Secretary of Health and vision for the country which means that they act
Human Services addressing the public health as pawns.
and economic impact- America Rescue Plan Act.
3. Evaluate the extent to which an electoral mandate is the most significant power a president can
have.
AGREE DISAGREE
The electoral mandate allows the president to Even with a mandate, the president may struggle
govern the people that voted for them. The to convince Congress to pass legislation as the
mandate gives the president power to enact their opposition party may control one or both of the
agenda, set policies and make decisions based houses. In 2021, Biden had 51% of the popular
on the will of the people. Reagan won 59% of the vote and won the senate while the republicans
vote and a victory in 49 states. won the house. Voting rights reforms have been
stalled.
, Have public support so can have a broader Checks and balances. The United States
coalition of support and overcome opposition in government is designed with a system of checks
congress and elsewhere. In 2008, Barack and balances which limits the power of any one
Obama won a decisive victory over the branch of government- including the presidency.
Republican Mccain. He used his mandate to
push through the American Recovery and
Reinvestment act 2009
Political capital. They are in a stronger position. A president’s ability to achieve their policy goals
Reagan was able to achieve his goal of shrinking depends on their leadership and negotiation
the size of the federal government. skills rather than their mandate. A president who
is skilled at negotiating with congress can
achieve more than one that just relies on the
mandate. Clinton was known for his leadership
skills: he passed the welfare reform and
brokered peace agreements in the Middle East
and Northern Ireland.
4. Evaluate the view that 'Presidential power is the power to persuade.'
AGREE DISAGREE
The president is dependent on Congress for They also have the power to circumvent
legislation, money, nominations and declarations congress through executive orders. Executive
of wars and treaties. This means members must order on advancing racial equity and support for
be persuaded. This can be done by campaigning underserved communities through the federal
on their behalf by showing up at rallies or government,
supporting legislation that would bring federal
money to member states. Clinton- supported the
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act to reach out to conservative
members of congress to get welfare reform.
Congress has a separate mandate and will listen Era of hyperpartisanship means that the
to folks back home. This includes the president’s president has to work less hard at persuading
own party- 39 democrats voted against ACA. members of their own party in Congress as they
will vote along party lines. In the 113th congress,
92% for democrats and 90% for republicans.
In times of divided government, they have to Few members of the opposition party are open to
persuade the opposing party to follow their presidential persuasion. They have more of the
agenda or gridlock will occur. 2021 bipartisan power to sign executive agreements. Iran
infrastructure bill. Need senate to ratify treaties. Nuclear deal.
5. Evaluate the extent to which the Congress limits the President.
AGREE DISAGREE
Congress has the power to impeach and remove Impeachment can force Congress to become a
the President from office for high crimes and polarised political environment. Impeachment can
misdemeanours. This power has been used on cause partisan gridlock with members of
Bill Clinton for lying under oath to a federal grand Congress refusing to consider impeachment
jury and obstructing justice. proceedings against a President from their own
party. 2019-2020, most republicans voted against
impeaching Trump.
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