interpretation and debates

• What does the term "imperial presidency" describe?

  A president that abuses their power
• Who coined the term "imperial presidency"?

  Arthur Schlesinger
• What powers does an imperial president have over foreign policy?

  Powers to deploy armed forces abroad
• What happens when checks and balances fail?

  An imperial presidency occurs
• How does an imperial president increase their staff?

  By adding staff not subject to Senate confirmation
• How is an imperial president held accountable?

  Through impeachment or presidential elections
• What operational style does an imperial president typically adopt?

  Secrecy and potential illegal activity
• What executive controls were introduced after Nixon's presidency?

  The Government Accountability Office
• What is the size of the Executive Office in relation to the Federal Bureaucracy?

  It is a relatively small part
• Why is there no continuity in the Executive Office?

  Members change with each president
• What happened to presidents who acted illegally in the past?

  They were forced to resign
• Why did President Nixon resign?

  Watergate Scandal
• What does the term "imperilled presidency" mean?

  It is ineffective due to congressional limits
• What does the 1973 War Powers Act require from presidents?

  Approval from Congress to use armed forces
• What factors affect a president's accountability to Congress?

  The party in control of Congress
• When is Congress's scrutiny of the president greater?

  When there is a divided government
• How does a divided government affect legislative proposals?

  It makes it harder to pass proposals
• What happens if the opposition party controls the Senate?

  It becomes harder for judicial nominations
• Who was unable to confirm Merrick Garland's nomination?

  Republicans controlled the Senate
• What does using imperial powers without Congress approval imply?

  Less accountability for the president
• How do presidents use vetoes?

  To reject legislation passed by Congress
• What is an executive order?

  Action without Congress approval
• How many vetoes did President Obama use?

  12 regular vetoes
• What did President Trump do with executive orders?

  Withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership
• What powers are outlined in the Constitution for the president?

  Negotiate treaties and control armed forces
• What must treaties negotiated by the president do?

  Be ratified by the Senate
• What is the president's role as commander-in-chief?

  Control the armed forces
• What power does Congress have regarding military action?

  Power of the purse to fund military action
• Who does the president appoint for foreign policy roles?

  Secretaries of state, defense, and ambassadors
• What is an extra-constitutional power of the president?

  Using speeches to set foreign policy tone
• What did Donald Trump state in his inaugural speech?

  Aim of reducing military commitments abroad
• What is "soft power" in foreign policy?

  Using diplomacy instead of military action
• What did President Obama outline in 2014?

  "Might doing right" foreign policy vision
• When did Obama withdraw US troops from Iraq?

  In 2011
• What deal did Obama agree to in 2015 with Iran?

  Reduce nuclear weapons production for sanctions lifting
• What is the Bush Doctrine?

  US foreign policy strategy under Bush
• What belief underpins the Bush Doctrine?

  The right to carry out pre-emptive strikes
• What did President Bush justify in 2002 regarding Iraq?

  Military action due to weapons of mass destruction
• What was part of Bush's aim in invading Iraq?

  Pressuring Middle Eastern countries to democratize
• What can Congress do regarding a presidential veto?

  Veto a presidential veto with a supermajority