Executive question 1

1. What are the form and informal powers of the President? Why are the informal roles more important?

Executive question 2

2. What is the role of the president during a war?

Executive question 3

3. What are the effects of executive orders, executive agreements, executive privilege, impoundment of funds, and signing statements? Define each term.

Executive question 4

4. What is the role of the President in forming a national budget?

Executive question 5

5. What is the relationship between the President and Congress? Discuss the factors that lead to conflict in executive-legislative relations.

Executive question 6

6. How frequently does the President veto/threaten to veto? What are the consequences of a threatened veto? How frequently are vetoes overridden?

Executive question 7

7. To what extent does the President have the power to persuade?

Executive question 8

8. What is the relationship between Presidents and the media?

Executive question 9

9. What are the differences between cabinet departments, Executive Office of the President, independent agencies, and government corporations?

Executive question 10

10. Who are the White House (EOP, NSC, etc.) staffers and what has their effect been on the modern presidency?

Executive question 11

11. What is the process of impeachment?

Executive question 12

12. Explain the constitutional provisions in cases of a President’s death, disability, or leaving office before the end of his term.

Executive question 13

13. In the 1970’s in order to limit the power of the President and to reassert congressional authority in the policy-making process, Congress passed the following:

• The War Powers Act
• The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (often called the Budget Impoundment and Control Act)
Briefly describe the provisions of each of these two legislative acts. Evaluate the extent to which each act has affected the balance of power between the Presidency and Congress in the 1990’s.

Executive question 14

14. The years 1804-1933 are called the years of “congressional triumph.” The years after 1933 are generally characterized as an era of rising presidential power. Discuss the history of executive-legislative relations by commenting on this shift in power. Give specific examples and explain how and why this shift occurred.

Executive question 15

15. What is the federal bureaucracy? How is it organized and what role does it play in making and implementing policy?

Executive question 16

16. In what way does the bureaucracy exercise powers that are quasi-legislative or quasi-judicial?

Judicial Question 5

Identify and describe the three levels of the federal court system. What cases do each have jurisdiction over? In what cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction?

Judicial Queston 1

Explain how the case of Marbury v. Madison established the concept of judicial review. Do you think the outcome of the case could have been different with another chief justice in place? Due Wed., Jan. 6.

Judicial Question 2

Explain the difference between constitutional and legislative courts.

Judicial Question 3

Explain the difference between criminal and civil law.

Judicial Question 4

The U.S. has a dual court system. Explain how this works.

Judicial Question 6

Identify and discuss the steps involved in appointing and confirming a federal judge. What is the litmus test? Include the steps taken by the Senate. (Selection criteria is in the next question.)

JUdicial Question 7

Discuss the criteria considered for the selection of judges.

Judicial Question 8

What does it mean for cert to be granted? Under what circumstances are writs of certiorari granted? What happens to a case if the Supreme Court does not grant cert?

Judicial Question 9

Describe what takes place at a Supreme Court hearing. Include the role of amicus curaie briefs.

Judicial Question 10

Describe how the Supreme Court reaches and writes opinions. Explain the significance of concurring and dissenting opinions.

Judicial Question 11

Compare judicial activism and judicial restraint. Give specific examples.

Judicial Question 12

Discuss the process of judicial implementation.

Judicial Question 13

Of the three branches of government, the courts are considered the least democratic. Explain how politics does have an impact on the judicial branch.

Judicial Question 14

Using specific examples, explain the courts' role in national policy making.

Judicial Question 15

Identify some major rulings of the Warren, Burger, and Rehnquist courts.

Judicial Question 16

Discuss the constraints on the power of the federal courts. Include checks by the other branches of government.