The Roles of the President - what they do, how they're chosen and who they represent (Leaving Cert History): Revision Notes
The Roles of the President - what they do, how they are chosen and who they represent
The President of the United States is one of the most powerful people in the world. The President leads the nation, makes important decisions, and represents the US to other countries. Understanding what the President does, how they are chosen, and who they represent helps explain how the US government works.
Roles of the President
The President has many jobs, each representing a different part of their duties. Knowledge of these jobs will improve your overall essay writing if you choose to answer a question on a president.
- Chief Executive
- Commander-in-Chief
- Chief Diplomat
- Legislative Leader
- Head of State
- Economic Leader
- Party Leader
- Chief Executive: The President leads the executive branch, enforces federal laws, runs government programmes, and oversees federal agencies. They appoint Cabinet members and other officials, who must be approved by the Senate.
- Commander-in-Chief: The President controls the US military, makes key military decisions, and ensures national security. While Congress declares war, the President can deploy troops and manage military actions.
- Chief Diplomat: The President handles foreign policy, negotiates treaties (which the Senate must approve), and represents the US to other countries. This involves working with international leaders and global organisations.
- Legislative Leader: The President cannot make laws but can suggest new ones and push Congress to pass them. They can also veto bills and deliver the State of the Union address, outlining their goals.
- Head of State: The President is the symbolic leader of the country, representing American values. This includes performing ceremonial duties like hosting foreign leaders and awarding medals.
- Economic Leader: The President helps shape economic policy, working to ensure economic stability and growth. This includes preparing the federal budget, addressing unemployment, and responding to economic crises.
- Party Leader: As the top member of their political party, the President influences party policies, supports party candidates, and helps with fundraising and campaigns.
Presidential Bureaucracy
The President relies on a large system of departments and agencies to do their job. These include the Department of Defence, the Department of State, and the Environmental Protection Agency. The President appoints the heads of these departments, who form the Cabinet and advise on important issues.
Below are some key terms relating to the role of the president and what they can do in power:
Direct Mandate: The President is elected by the people, giving them a direct mandate to govern. This means they are chosen based on their campaign promises and policies. The direct mandate gives the President a strong position to implement their agenda, as they have the support of voters.
Power of Initiative: The President can set the legislative agenda and influence national policy. By proposing new laws, pushing for specific policies, and using executive orders, the President can drive significant changes. This power allows the President to address important issues quickly and effectively.
Bully Pulpit: The "bully pulpit" is the President's ability to use their position to communicate directly with the public and influence opinions. Through speeches, press conferences, and social media, the President can shape national conversations, rally support for their policies, and pressure Congress to act. Theodore Roosevelt popularised this concept, recognising the power of the presidency to advocate for important issues.
How the President Is Chosen
The President is elected through the Electoral College. Here's how it works:
- Primaries and Caucuses: Political parties hold primary elections and caucuses in each state to choose their candidates. These events determine the delegates who will support a candidate at the party's national convention.
- National Conventions: Each party holds a national convention where delegates officially nominate their candidate for President. The candidate then chooses a running mate for Vice President.
- General Election: In the general election, held every four years on the first Tuesday in November, citizens vote for their preferred candidate. However, they are technically voting for electors pledged to that candidate.
- Electoral College: Each state has a certain number of electors based on its representation in Congress (Senators + Representatives). The candidate who wins the majority of votes in a state usually receives all of that state's electoral votes. To win the presidency, a candidate must secure a majority of electoral votes (at least 270 out of 538).
Who the President Represents
The President represents all American citizens, but their policies often reflect the interests of those who elected them. As a national leader, the President must balance different viewpoints and work to serve the entire country.
Political Parties
The President is usually a member of one of the two major political parties in the United States: the Democratic Party or the Republican Party. These parties have different ideas and policies.
Democratic Party
The Democratic Party was founded in 1828. It supports social progress and economic reform.
Key aspects of the Democratic Party include:
- Progressive Policies: The party supports social justice and equality. This includes civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and gender equality.
- Social Welfare: Democrats support government programmes that help vulnerable people. This includes healthcare programmes like the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), Social Security, and unemployment benefits.
- Economic Policies: The Democratic Party favours policies that promote economic equality and support for the middle class. This includes higher minimum wages, progressive taxation (where higher earners pay a higher percentage in taxes), and strong labour unions.
- Environmental Protection: Democrats strongly support environmental protection and action on climate change. They support regulations to reduce carbon emissions, promote renewable energy, and protect natural resources.
- Healthcare: The party supports expanding access to healthcare, with many members advocating for a public healthcare option or even a single-payer system, which would provide universal healthcare coverage.
- Education: Democrats often push for increased funding for public education, reducing student debt, and making higher education more affordable and accessible.
- Key Figures: Prominent Democrats include:
- Franklin D. Roosevelt, who implemented the New Deal during the Great Depression
- John F. Kennedy, known for his inspirational leadership and civil rights advocacy
- Barack Obama, the first African American President who passed significant healthcare reform
Republican Party
The Republican Party, also known as the GOP (Grand Old Party), was founded in 1854. It supports conservative principles, emphasising limited government and individual liberties.
Key aspects of the Republican Party include:
- Conservative Policies: The party supports traditional values, law and order, and a strong national defence.
- Limited Government: Republicans favour a smaller federal government with less intervention in the economy. They believe that free-market capitalism leads to the most efficient and prosperous society.
- Economic Policies: The party supports lower taxes, deregulation of businesses, and reducing government spending. They argue that these policies create a better environment for businesses to thrive and create jobs.
- Social Policies: Republicans promote traditional family values and may oppose policies such as abortion rights and same-sex marriage. They advocate for individual responsibility and personal freedom.
- Healthcare: The party favours a market-based approach to healthcare, opposing large-scale government programmes like the Affordable Care Act. They believe competition and choice in the healthcare market can drive down costs and improve quality.
- Environmental Policies: While supportive of economic development and energy independence, some Republicans oppose extensive environmental regulations, arguing that they can hinder economic growth and job creation.
- Defence and Security: Republicans prioritise a strong national defence, supporting increased military spending and a robust foreign policy to protect American interests abroad.
- Key Figures: Notable Republicans include:
- Abraham Lincoln, who led the nation during the Civil War and abolished slavery
- Ronald Reagan, known for his conservative economic policies and role in ending the Cold War
- George W. Bush, who was President during the 9/11 attacks and initiated the War on Terror