7/28/2019 Constraints on President

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HOW DO THE FOLLOWING CONSTRAIN THE PRESIDENT?

CONSTRAINT EXPLANATION

FederalismFederalism in many respects allows states to govern for themost part separate from the National government. Althoughlegislation/initiatives that the President proposes affect the

states, the states still maintain some sovereignty over theissues.

Separation ofPowers

The separation of powers displaces power within the federalgovernment, so that no one portion or person has completecontrol. This is true even though you tend to see more powerand responsibilities shared by the branches (marble cake).

MediaCoverage

Media coverage can also restrict the President because it canlead to a different issues being highlighted which may becontrary to the administrations agenda. This ultimatelyconstrains the President to focus on topics that the mediafocusses on.

DomesticPublic Opinion

The President is constrained by public opinion because thepeople have the ability to vote him out if he is not addressingpublic concerns and focusing on his own policy. For the mostpart the pressure of domestic pressure wanes as he enters hissecond term, but his role in office also affects his fellow partymembers.

World PublicOpinion

World public opinion is also very important to the presidentbecause if he is unable to maintain a good image among theWorlds leaders the pre-eminence of the U.S. is tarnished.Moreover, it also affects policy because good relations with theinternational community can allow him to forge tradeagreements and other policy.

PresidentialAdvisors/Cabinet

The President is constrained by cabinet members and advisorsbecause they have tremendous policy knowledge in theirsubjective fields. This knowledge can then be used to forgepolicy, but at the same time the policy created may be contraryto the Presidents wishes.

Party Out ofPower--Loyal

Opposition

The party that is not in control will try to maintain somesemblance of power thus they form a loyal opposition againstthe policies made by the President, because they would like to

retain the policies that they created when that party controlledthe political process.

Factionswithin Party

Faction within parties restricts the President because he has toappease to more differing views on top of the previousrestrictions.

InterestGroups

Interest groups much like factions want to control some of thepolicy making, thus it places restrictions on what the presidentcan do. This is usually done through political donations(electioneering).

7/28/2019 Constraints on President

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HOW DO THE FOLLOWING CONSTRAIN THE PRESIDENT?

CONSTRAINT EXPLANATION

Judiciary

The judiciary places constitutional restrictions on the President,and the President has to construct legislation that complies withthe Constitution of the United States.

Congress

Congress also places restrictions on the President because lawsare implemented there thus the President has to makeconcessions like signing into laws pork/earmarks even if he doesnot support it. Moreover, the congress can overturn vetoes.

Scandal

Scandals constrain the President because it adds another layer ofscrutiny from both the media and the public over the allegationsof scandal. Thus, now the President has to deal with theallegations and cannot focus on proposing legislation.

Time

Time is also a major constraint because the President has to formlegislation within the term limits, and must implement them insuch a way as to make the presidency look good in order tosecure a second term and/or for legacy reasons.

PersonalTraits

BureaucraticResistance

Bureaucracy can pressure the president because it is generallyinefficient and may lead to complications in implementing aproposal, which may hurt the Presidents public image.

MajorEvents/Crises

Major events/crises can constrain the President because it shiftsthe issues that the President wants to deal with in order to focuson something that was major. This prevents the president fromfocusing on anything other than that issue.

Party PlatformThe party platform is also restrictive because the President has tofollow its doctrine if he hopes to maintain party support and hisideology. He does not want to anger the people that helped toelect him.

VaryingElection

Cycles