Unit 5

Executive Branch & Bureaucracy

Learning Objectives

Identify and explain the organization of the Executive
Identify and provide an example of the powers of the Executive, both formal and informal.
Identify and explain how Executive shares powers with the Congress, Judiciary, and bureaucracy.
Discuss the implications of Executive sharing powers with each of the following: Congress, Judiciary, and bureaucracy.
Discuss the functions that Executive performs.
Identify how the power of the Executive has/may evolve gradually.
Identify how the power of the Executive has/may changes dramatically as a result of crisis.
Identify and discuss the ties between the Executive and political parties.
Identify and discuss the ties between the Executive and interest groups.
Identify and discuss the ties between the Executive and media.
Identify and discuss the ties between the Executive and state and local governments.

Vocabulary

Legislative veto
Line-item veto
Impeachment
Impoundment
Bureaucracy

Merit system
Standard operating procedures
White House Staff
Cabinet
Iron Triangle

Issue Network
Revolving door
Executive Office of the President
Independent Agencies
Government Corporations

Regulatory Commissions
Executive orders
Executive agreements
Executive privilege
Take Care Clause

iron triangles
patronage
civil service
merit principle
Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
GS (General Scheduling) rating

Senior Executive Service (SES)
independent regulatory commission
government corporations
independent executive agency
policy implementation
administrative discretion
discretionary authority

standard operating procedures
street-level bureaucrats
regulation
deregulation
command-and-control policy
incentive system
executive orders