1 / 11

Introduction to the American Political Process

Dive into the American political process, from presidential powers to war authority and the influence of policy entrepreneurs. Discover how legislation is shaped, wars are waged, and ideas become policy.

adallas
Download Presentation

Introduction to the American Political Process

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Introduction to the American Political Process Making Legislation: The Powers of the President Ideas and Policy Entrepreneurs

  2. Executive Orders • Create new Status Quo • Example: EO 9981 • 1948 Selective Services Bill: 7 desegregation amendments fails • 1950 Extension of Selective Services Act: pro-segregation amendments fail

  3. Bargaining: War Powers • Who has the power to wage war? • President: Commander-in-Chief • Congress: Power to declare war • 1973: War Powers Act • President must consult with Congress • Written notification of “estimated scope and duration” within 48 hours • If approval is not granted within 60 days, president should withdraw forces within 30 days

  4. The Courts • Veto player? • New Status Quo? • Where does its power come from? • All three branches have some power to interpret constitution • Who Prevails? • Marbury vs. Madison

  5. Marbury v. Madison • 1800 John Adams looses Presidential Election to Thomas Jefferson • 1801: Adams appoints his Secretary of State, John Marshall, to be Chief Justice • 1801: Adams makes a number of last-minute appointments, including William Marbury as Justice of the Peace for D.C.

  6. Marbury v. Madison (cont) • Marbury doesn’t receive commission • Jefferson doesn’t deliver commission • 1803: Marbury vs. Madison • Result: Jefferson scolded, but Marbury’s request denied; law that allowed his suit is declared unconstitutional

  7. The Court’s Power • Importance of a united front • Limits on power • Breyer in Bush v. Gore: “In this highly politicized matter, the appearance of a split decision runs the risk of undermining the public's confidence in the court itself. That confidence is a public treasure.”

  8. Ideas and Policy Entrepreneurs • The policy-making process • Agenda setting • Alternative specification • Authoritative choice

  9. Agenda Setting • What gets taken up by government? • Policy-making as non-linear process • Solutions seeking problems • Public transportation • Star Wars

  10. Policy Entrepreneurs • Entrepreneur: people who are instrumental in getting their pet program implemented • The role of ideas • Academics: James Q. Wilson’s “broken windows” • Interest groups: Ralph Nader and public safety

More Related