Thursday, January 14, 2010
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.
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The time period after the Great Depression is a time period where the power of the president grew greatly. One example of how the presidential power increased after 1933 is seen through the legislation of Franklin D. Roosevelt. To combat the resultant high unemployment rates and weak financial markets, FDR created hundreds of new government agencies to regulate business practices and various aspects of the national economy such as the Social Security Act in 1935 and the Civil Works Administration in 1933. The bleak state of the nation allowed FDR to gain support for his new presidential power and New Deal legislation. Formerly, most Americans had believed in a hand-off approach; but after 1933, they considered it the federal government’s job to get the economy going and get American’s back to work. During World War II, the federal government’s power grew to deal with the needs of a nation during war. Examples of this rise in presidential power is seen through the increase of tax rates and new programs created by the government such as the G.I. Bill which provided college loans for returning veterans and reduced mortgages so they could buy homes. Soon after the war came another rise in power as seen through the Johnson’s Great Society programs and agencies. Two agencies created during this time included the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Transportation. This expansion in bureaucracy corresponded to increases in the president’s power and hid ability to persuade Congress that agencies were a good way to solve problems. As documented after 1933, the rise of presidential power increased greatly because of the demands of the general public for a more hand-on approach by the federal government to combat many issues that arose from major events in history such as the Great Depression and World War II.
ReplyDeleteIn the late 1800's the power of Congress was great. This power was exemplified in the passing of the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Civil Service Reform Act (aka Pendelton Act). The validity of this act and commission gave the government power over the people. The ICC shifted the power of the government from service to regulatory. Because of this shift, Congress had the power because they were able to have ability to regulate the policies of the government. The Pendelton Act reduced patronage in order to build a system of merit based jobs instead of the spoils system. During the 1960's however the power shifted to the president. The creation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission shifted the power back to the president as he was able to influence the Congress to make decisions that he wanted. The creation of the Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Transportation also helped the power shift toward the presidency. Because of the agencies the president was able to convince Congress that agencies were an effective way to solve social problems.
ReplyDelete"The Imperial Presidency" Lanahan reading discusses the shift of power to the president from congress.
ReplyDeleteFDR assumed many powers to handle the economic and military emergencies of the time. We saw how JFK had to use power during the Cuban missile crisis.
Later presidents assumed they could use the same powers even though the same type of events were not occurring.
Today's modern communications and military capabilities do require immediate action by the president in certain instances.
Vietnam and Watergate were examples of presidents extending their powers too far.