the executive branch the president and his bureaucracy
TRANSCRIPT
The Executive BranchThe President and his Bureaucracy
The Executive Branch
Narratives on page 365 raise an interesting difference of opinion.
The Executive Branch
Early debates about the structure of the Presidency: How can we prevent both Anarchy and Monarchy?
Should there be two?
Should they have an approval council?
Should we have an “elective monarchy”?
Should we have a single, elective officeholder?
The Executive Branch
Early debates about the structure of the Presidency: Will the Presidency become the “fetus of monarchy”?
Can a President use the militia for a coup?
Will he become a “tool of the Senate”?
Will he try to achieve a lifetime term?
Can we sustain the “George Washington Effect”?
The Executive Branch
President Prime Minister
The Executive Branch
President Prime MinisterElected by the People Chosen by the majority party
The Executive Branch
President Prime MinisterElected by the People Chosen by the majority party
Selects his own Cabinet Selects ministers from party or coalition
The Executive Branch
President Prime MinisterElected by the People Chosen by the majority party
Selects his own Cabinet Selects ministers from party or coalition
Usually an “Outsider” Always an “Insider”
The Executive Branch
President Prime MinisterElected by the People Chosen by the majority party
Selects his own Cabinet Selects ministers from party or coalition
Usually an “Outsider” Always an “Insider”
May not have a Legislative majority Always has a legislative majority
The Executive Branch
President Prime MinisterElected by the People Chosen by the majority party
Selects his own Cabinet Selects ministers from party or coalition
Usually an “Outsider” Always an “Insider”
May not have a Legislative majority Always has a legislative majority
War powers limited War powers broad
The Executive Branch
President Prime MinisterElected by the People Chosen by the majority party
Selects his own Cabinet Selects ministers from party or coalition
Usually an “Outsider” Always an “Insider”
May not have a Legislative majority Always has a legislative majority
War powers limited War powers broad
May have unified or divided government Usually has unified government
The Executive Branch
President Prime MinisterElected by the People Chosen by the majority party
Selects his own Cabinet Selects ministers from party or coalition
Usually an “Outsider” Always an “Insider”
May not have a Legislative majority Always has a legislative majority
War powers limited War powers broad
May have unified or divided government Usually has unified government
May be subject to “gridlock” Probably can’t define “gridlock”
The Executive Branch How about an Electoral College?
The House was expected to decide most elections.
Voters were not expected to really know much about the candidates.
“Favorite sons” were expected to localize the vote.
States would have a major role.Everyone gets at least 3 votes.
Small states are over-represented.
The Executive Branch Electoral College? (Everybody hates it.)
Should we abolish it?
Should we make it proportionate?
Could changes lead to multiple parties?
The Executive Branch Want to see the results?
http://www.270towin.com
The Executive Branch Who can become President? (Constitutionally)
What power does he have? Commander-in-chief & commissioning of officers
Pardons
Calls Special Sessions
Receives Ambassadors
Executes Laws
Appoint “lesser” officials
The Executive Branch Shared Powers
Treaties
Ambassadors
Judges
“Higher” officials
Approve Legislation
The Executive Branch Other “Powers”
The VetoThe 10-day rule
“Pocket” version
Line-item?
Override?
Legislative Veto?
Executive Privilege The Bully Pulpit
The Executive Branch IMPEACHMENT
Indictment by the House Trial by the Senate Chief Justice Presiding
16 total, 7 convictions Presidents?
The Executive Branch SUCCESSION
Peaceful and Orderly
The “George Washington effect”
William Henry Harrison
Succession Act of 1886
Succession Act of 1947
22nd Amendment (1951)
25th Amendment (1967)
The Executive Branch
THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE Office of Management & Budget Director of National Intelligence Council of Economic Advisers Office of Personnel Management Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
The Executive Branch The Cabinet
State Treasury Defense (War)
Justice Interior Agriculture
Commerce Labor HHS (HEW)
HUD Transportation Energy
Education Veterans Affairs Homeland Security
The Executive Branch Is the President’s plan Comprehensive or Focused? Is the structure of his office a Pyramid, a Circle, or Ad
Hoc? Why are most Presidents less popular at the end of
their terms? Why did Reagan and Clinton hold fairly steady?
Does character matter?
The Executive Branch THE BUREAUCRACY Civil Service Kung fu-tzu Currently decentralizing
“Government by Proxy”
The Executive Branch THE BUREAUCRACY Created by James Madison
Dept. of State (1789)
Only the President can fire officials Congress must authorize agencies, appropriate
money for them, can investigate their actions, and shapes the laws.
“Every appointment creates 1 ingrate and 10 enemies.” John Adams
The Executive Branch THE BUREAUCRACY Current level of Federal Employment
Executive Departments 2,756,000
Military 1,583,000
Legislative/Judicial 64,000
TOTAL 4,403,000
The Executive Branch THE BUREAUCRACY Major Growth Spurts
Great Depression
Post-World War II
Post- 9/11 ?
Major Powers Pay Subsidies
Grant money distribution
Regulate society and economy
The Executive Branch THE BUREAUCRACY Discretionary Authority The Duplication Problem Whistle-blower Protection Act (1989) Various constraints:
Administrative Procedure Act Freedom of Information Act National Environmental Policy Act Privacy Act Open Meeting Law
The Executive Branch THE BUREAUCRACY Effects of Constraints
Everything slows down.
Actions become inconsistent.
It is easier to block action than to take action.
Employees become hesitant.
Citizens deplore the red tape.
The Executive Branch THE BUREAUCRACY Client Politics
Iron Triangles
Agency + Committee + Interest Group
Issue Networks
Insider Interest Group + Congressional Staffers + “Thinkers” + Media members
The Executive Branch THE BUREAUCRACY
Administering Grants-in-Aid
Land Grants
Categorical Grants
Block Grants
Mandates“Unfunded”
Waivers
The Executive Branch THE BUREAUCRACY What are the opportunities for corruption? Can a civil servant be fired? Why are there more liberals in social services and more
conservatives in military agencies? Why would anybody want a job with all these
restrictions? Should we outsource more of our services? Can we reform the system effectively?