10.2 The Executive in Presidential Regimes
4 min read•june 18, 2024
Presidential power and leadership are complex aspects of political systems. They involve a delicate balance between formal authority and informal influence, shaped by various factors.
Presidents wield both constitutional powers and personal persuasion to govern effectively. Their success depends on , communication skills, and ability to navigate checks and balances within the political system.
Presidential Power and Leadership
Power gains for populist leaders
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- Emerge during economic or political crises by capitalizing on public discontent and offering simplistic solutions
- Utilize charismatic personalities and rhetorical skills to appeal directly to the people, often bypassing traditional media and political institutions
- Leverage social media and mass rallies to connect with supporters (Twitter, campaign events)
- Challenge the establishment and position themselves as outsiders claiming to represent the "true will" of the people against corrupt elites
- In presidential systems, gain power through direct election by running on anti-establishment platforms and mobilizing passionate supporters
- Once in office, may use their mandate to concentrate power and weaken checks and balances by attacking the media, judiciary, and opposition as enemies of the people
Formal vs informal presidential powers
- explicitly granted by the constitution or laws
- legislation, appoint members and judges, serve as of the armed forces
- Clearly defined and can be exercised unilaterally
- Issue to direct federal agencies and implement policies without congressional approval
- not explicitly defined but derived from the president's role as head of state and leader of their party
- Set the political agenda, negotiate with Congress, influence public opinion
- Rely on personal skills, reputation, and relationships with other political actors
- Informal powers can be as important as formal powers in determining a president's ability to govern effectively
- Popular president with strong communication skills can persuade Congress and the public to support their agenda, even without formal authority ()
- President lacking informal powers may struggle to advance goals, even with significant formal powers ()
Bully pulpit in presidential leadership
- President's ability to use their position to advocate for policies and influence public opinion
- Term coined by President , who saw the presidency as a "" to promote his agenda
- Presidents use the to set the political agenda and frame issues in ways that favor their positions
- Give speeches, hold press conferences, and use other public events to communicate directly with the American people (, televised addresses)
- Important tool for presidential leadership, especially in an era of divided government and partisan polarization
- By appealing directly to the public, presidents can pressure Congress and other political actors to support their policies
- Effectiveness depends on the president's communication skills and credibility with the public
- President seen as trustworthy and competent can use the bully pulpit to build support for their agenda ('s )
- President who is unpopular or seen as dishonest may struggle to use the bully pulpit effectively ( during )
Approval ratings and persuasion power
- Presidential approval ratings measure the percentage of Americans who approve of the president's job performance
- Closely watched by political observers and can have significant implications for a president's ability to govern
- High approval ratings give a president more leverage to persuade Congress and other political actors to support their agenda
- Members of Congress more willing to cooperate with a popular president, even if they disagree with their policies ( after 9/11)
- Public more receptive to a president's arguments and more likely to pressure their representatives to support the president's positions
- Low approval ratings weaken a president's ability to persuade and make it harder to advance their goals
- Members of Congress less willing to take political risks to support an unpopular president (George W. Bush during later years of his presidency)
- Public more skeptical of a president's arguments and less likely to mobilize in support of their agenda
- Relationship between approval ratings and persuasive power is not always straightforward
- Some presidents have achieved significant policy victories despite low approval ratings by building coalitions and using other tools of presidential power ( during )
- Other presidents have struggled to advance their agendas even with high approval ratings due to opposition from Congress or other factors ( during his first term)
- A president's ability to persuade depends on a complex interplay of factors, including their approval ratings, communication skills, relationships with Congress, and the broader political environment
Checks and Balances in Presidential Systems
- divides government authority among executive, legislative, and judicial branches to prevent concentration of power
- Cabinet members advise the president and oversee executive departments, subject to Senate confirmation
- power allows executive clemency but can be controversial if perceived as self-serving
- process allows Congress to remove a president for "high crimes and misdemeanors"
- system determines presidential elections, potentially diverging from the popular vote
- restrict presidents to a maximum of two four-year terms to prevent long-term entrenchment
Key Terms to Review (43)
Approval Ratings: Approval ratings refer to the level of public support or endorsement for an elected official, government, or institution. They provide a measure of how favorably the public perceives the performance and policies of those in power, and are an important indicator of political sentiment.
Babiš: Andrej Babiš is a Czech businessman and politician who served as the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. His tenure exemplifies the influence that business leaders can have on national politics, particularly in presidential and parliamentary systems.
Barack Obama: Barack Obama is an American politician who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. He was the first African American to hold the office, and his presidency was marked by significant domestic and foreign policy initiatives during a time of economic recession and international conflict.
Bill Clinton: Bill Clinton was the 42nd President of the United States, serving from 1993 to 2001. His presidency was marked by both significant policy achievements and personal scandals, making him a complex and influential figure in American politics.
Bryan: In the context of the Executive in Presidential Regimes, "Bryan" refers to William Jennings Bryan, who was a significant political figure and a three-time Democratic presidential candidate. His influence on American politics at the turn of the 20th century highlights the role of charismatic leadership and the impact of political ideologies within executive structures in presidential regimes.
Bully pulpit: A bully pulpit refers to the unique platform the president has to communicate directly with the public, influencing opinion and mobilizing action. It leverages the visibility and authority of the presidency to promote agendas and shape public discourse.
Bully Pulpit: The 'bully pulpit' refers to the significant platform and influence that the President of the United States has to shape public opinion and drive the national agenda. It describes the President's ability to use the power of the office and the media to promote their priorities and policies.
Cabinet: The cabinet is the group of senior ministers and advisors who assist and support the head of government, such as the president or prime minister, in the executive branch of government. It serves as the core decision-making body that helps shape and implement the government's policies and agenda.
Cabinets: Cabinets are groups of senior officials, typically consisting of the top leaders of the executive branch in a government, who advise the head of state (such as a president or prime minister) and help implement government policies and decisions. In both presidential and parliamentary regimes, cabinets play crucial roles in shaping national policies and managing government operations.
Commander-in-Chief: The commander-in-chief is the highest-ranking military officer in a country, who has the ultimate authority and responsibility over the armed forces. This term is closely tied to the executive branch of government, particularly the role of the president or prime minister as the head of state and government.
Don’t ask, don’t tell: Don't Ask, Don't Tell was a policy implemented in the U.S. military from 1994 until 2011 that prohibited military personnel from discriminating against or harassing closeted homosexual or bisexual service members, while barring openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual individuals from military service. The policy was intended as a compromise to address the controversy surrounding LGBT individuals serving in the military but was criticized for forcing service members to hide their sexual orientation.
Electoral College: The Electoral College is the group of electors who formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States. It is a process established in the U.S. Constitution, where each state is allocated a number of electors based on its representation in Congress, and voters in each state choose which candidate will receive that state's electoral votes.
Executive Orders: Executive orders are directives issued by the president of the United States to manage the operations of the federal government. They carry the force of law and enable the president to enact policy changes without the need for congressional approval, thus playing a significant role in shaping executive power and legislative dynamics.
Fireside Chats: Fireside chats refer to a series of radio addresses delivered by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression and World War II. These informal, conversational talks were aimed at directly communicating with the American people and building public trust in the government's actions.
The fireside chats were an innovative use of emerging mass media technology, allowing Roosevelt to bypass traditional media outlets and speak directly to citizens in their homes. This helped him maintain public support for his New Deal policies and wartime efforts, making him a highly effective communicator and leader during challenging times.
Formal powers: Formal powers are the official authorities and responsibilities granted to an executive, such as a president, by a country's constitution or legal system. These powers allow the executive to enact laws, veto legislation, direct foreign policy, and command the armed forces.
Franklin D. Roosevelt: Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 32nd President of the United States, serving from 1933 to 1945. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and transformative leaders in American history, known for his leadership during the Great Depression and World War II.
George W. Bush: George W. Bush was the 43rd President of the United States, serving from 2001 to 2009. As the executive leader of the country during this time, his presidency had a significant impact on the dynamics of the presidential regime in the context of the topics covered in Chapter 10.2 'The Executive in Presidential Regimes'.
Goebbels: Joseph Goebbels was a leading member of the Nazi Party and served as Minister of Propaganda for Nazi Germany. His work involved controlling and manipulating media and public information to support Nazi ideology.
Impeachment: Impeachment is a formal process by which a public official, especially in high governmental positions such as the president or a judge, is accused of unlawful activity, potentially leading to their removal from office. It serves as an essential check by the legislature on the executive and judicial branches of government.
Impeachment: Impeachment is the process by which a legislative body (usually a parliament or congress) brings charges against a civil officer of government for crimes and misdemeanors committed while in office. It serves as a check on the power of the executive branch by allowing the legislative branch to hold the president or other high-ranking officials accountable for their actions.
Informal powers: Informal powers are the unofficial capabilities or influence that an executive, such as a president, has to achieve policy goals outside of constitutionally granted authorities. These powers can stem from personal influence, public support, or relationships within the political system.
Janša: In the context of the chapter on Executives, Cabinets, and Bureaucracies within the subject of Introduction to Political Science, "Janša" does not refer to a general political science term but rather is likely related to Janez Janša, a Slovenian politician who has served multiple terms as Prime Minister. His leadership exemplifies the roles and challenges faced by executives in parliamentary systems, contrasting with presidential regimes by demonstrating how executive power can be exercised in different governmental frameworks.
Jimmy Carter: Jimmy Carter was the 39th President of the United States, serving from 1977 to 1981. He was a Democrat who focused on human rights, energy policy, and diplomacy during his presidency, though his term was marked by economic challenges and the Iran hostage crisis.
Kaczyński: Jarosław Kaczyński is a Polish politician and lawyer who co-founded the Law and Justice party (PiS) and has played a significant role in shaping Poland's executive branch within its presidential regime. He has served as Prime Minister of Poland and wields considerable influence over the country's political landscape, emphasizing conservative policies and national sovereignty.
Neustadt: Neustadt refers to Richard E. Neustadt, a political scientist who significantly contributed to the understanding of the American presidency and its power dynamics within the context of governmental structures, particularly in presidential regimes. His seminal work, "Presidential Power and the Modern Presidents," argues that a president's success hinges on their persuasive abilities and strategic use of personal power rather than formal authority alone.
Populist Leaders: Populist leaders are political figures who claim to represent the common people and their interests in opposition to the perceived elite or establishment. They often use rhetoric that appeals to the frustrations and concerns of the general population, positioning themselves as outsiders fighting against the status quo.
Power to persuade: The power to persuade is the ability of executives in presidential regimes to influence the decisions, opinions, or behavior of others, particularly within the contexts of their cabinets and bureaucracies. It involves not just formal authority but also the skillful use of negotiations, public appeal, and political capital to achieve desired outcomes.
Presidential Pardon: A presidential pardon is an executive action taken by the president of the United States to forgive an individual for a federal crime, relieving them of any remaining legal consequences. It is a power granted to the president by the U.S. Constitution to provide clemency and leniency in the justice system.
Presidentialism: Presidentialism is a system of government where the executive branch, led by a president, is independent and separate from the legislative branch. The president is both the head of state and head of government, with significant powers and a fixed term of office.
Progressive Era: The Progressive Era was a period of widespread social activism and political reform in the United States that spanned the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was characterized by a push for greater government intervention to address societal problems and improve the welfare of citizens, particularly the working class and marginalized groups.
Public approval rating: Public approval rating measures the level of public support or satisfaction with a political leader or government's performance. It is often determined through opinion polls and surveys to gauge the electorate's sentiment towards their leadership.
Richard Nixon: Richard Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. He is known for his pivotal role in the executive branch and the Watergate scandal that ultimately led to his resignation from office.
Ronald Reagan: Ronald Reagan was the 40th President of the United States, serving from 1981 to 1989. He was a Republican known for his conservative policies, economic reforms, and strong foreign policy stances during the Cold War era.
Separation of powers: Separation of powers is a principle in political science that divides the responsibilities and powers of a government into distinct branches to prevent any one group or individual from gaining too much control. Typically, these branches are the legislative (makes laws), executive (implements laws), and judicial (interprets laws).
Separation of Powers: Separation of powers is a fundamental principle of government that divides the functions of the state into distinct branches, each with separate duties and areas of responsibility. This principle aims to prevent the concentration of power in a single authority and promote a system of checks and balances between the different branches of government.
State of the Union Address: The State of the Union Address is an annual message delivered by the President of the United States to a joint session of the U.S. Congress. It outlines the president's assessment of the country's condition and their legislative agenda for the upcoming year.
Term limits: Term limits are regulations that restrict the number of terms an officeholder may serve in a particular elected position. They are designed to ensure turnover in political positions and prevent the concentration of power.
Term Limits: Term limits refer to legal restrictions that prevent an elected official from holding the same political office for an unlimited number of terms. This concept is often discussed in the context of democratic liberalism and the structure of presidential regimes.
Theodore Roosevelt: Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States, serving from 1901 to 1909. He was a prominent figure in the context of presidential regimes, known for his progressive domestic policies and assertive foreign policy, which significantly shaped the role and power of the executive branch during his time in office.
Tsipras: Alexis Tsipras is a Greek politician who served as the Prime Minister of Greece from 2015 to 2019. He is known for his leadership during a critical time in Greece's financial crisis, representing the Syriza party, a left-wing political party advocating against austerity measures.
Veto: A veto is the power to unilaterally stop an official action, especially the enactment of legislation. In the context of political science, it is a constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body.
Veto: A veto is the power of an executive, such as a president or governor, to unilaterally reject or block a decision made by the legislative branch. It is a crucial check on the power of the legislature and a key feature of presidential systems of government.
Watergate Scandal: The Watergate scandal was a major US political scandal in the 1970s that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. It involved a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and the subsequent cover-up by the Nixon administration, which ultimately revealed widespread abuse of power and obstruction of justice within the executive branch.