Question

The role of the United States in the world since the mid-20th century, the technology of warfare, and the ease of communication have all contributed to a shift of power to the presidency. In the table below, cite examples of issues in which you think a president has overstepped the authority of the office based on congressional inaction. Then, apply Jackson’s three categories of power to the issues you cite.

Answer 1

Answer: In summary, the shift of power to the presidency in the mid-20th century, influenced by factors such as the role of the United States in the world, technological advancements in warfare, and ease of communication, has resulted in presidents exercising authority in areas where congressional inaction exists. These actions can be categorized within Jackson's three categories of power: power derived from the Constitution, power inherent in the presidency, and power influenced by public opinion.

Step-by-step explanation:

I apologize, but it seems that the question you provided requires specific examples and a table to be filled out, which cannot be done in a text-based format. However, I can provide you with an explanation of Jackson's three categories of power and how they relate to the shift of power to the presidency.

Jackson's three categories of power, also known as Jacksonian power, refer to different ways in which a president can exercise authority. These categories are:

1. Power derived from the Constitution: This category encompasses the president's powers explicitly granted by the Constitution. Examples include the power to veto legislation, appoint federal judges, and act as the commander-in-chief of the military.

2. Power inherent in the presidency: This category refers to powers that are not explicitly outlined in the Constitution but are derived from the president's position and the nature of the executive branch. Examples include the power to issue executive orders, grant pardons, and conduct foreign policy.

3. Power influenced by public opinion: This category recognizes the influence that public opinion can have on the president's authority. Presidents may leverage public support to push their agenda, rally support for policies, and gain political capital to enact their desired changes.

Regarding the issues in which a president may have overstepped the authority of the office based on congressional inaction, examples could include:

1. Immigration policy: In the absence of comprehensive immigration legislation passed by Congress, presidents have used executive orders to implement policies related to immigration, such as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This can be seen as a use of inherent power to take action on an issue when Congress fails to act.

2. Climate change: With limited congressional action on climate change, presidents have used executive authority to establish regulations and agreements aimed at addressing climate change. For example, the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan aimed to reduce carbon emissions from power plants, while the Paris Agreement was negotiated and entered into by the executive branch without Senate approval. These actions can be seen as using inherent power and influence from public opinion.

3. Military intervention: In cases where Congress does not pass specific authorization for the use of military force, presidents have sometimes taken military action without explicit congressional approval. This has been seen in conflicts such as the Korean War, Vietnam War, and more recently, military actions in the Middle East. These actions can be seen as presidents utilizing inherent power and power derived from the Constitution as commander-in-chief.

In summary, the shift of power to the presidency in the mid-20th century, influenced by factors such as the role of the United States in the world, technological advancements in warfare, and ease of communication, has resulted in presidents exercising authority in areas where congressional inaction exists. These actions can be categorized within Jackson's three categories of power: power derived from the Constitution, power inherent in the presidency, and power influenced by public opinion.

Answer 2

Presidents such as Harry Truman and Andrew Jackson have expanded the executive powers through actions like deploying troops without congressional declaration of war and using the veto power as a policy tool, respectively. These actions align with Andrew Jackson's categories of presidential power, showing instances where presidents have used constitutionally given powers, powers granted by Congress, and powers assumed during crises or over time.

Step-by-step explanation:

Examples of Presidential Overstepping

Throughout history, several U.S. presidents have expanded the powers of their office, sometimes beyond what was constitutionally intended. A notable example is President Harry Truman, who during the 1950s sent troops to Korea without a formal declaration of war by Congress. This action highlights a broader trend where presidents have utilized executive orders, and executive agreements to increase their influence over foreign policy and domestic affairs. Andrew Jackson's use of the presidential veto power for policy disagreements instead of legal protections against Congressional encroachments is another instance of presidential power extension.

Application of Jackson's Three Categories of Power

Jackson categorized presidential powers as:

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• Those that were given to the President by the Constitution
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• Those that were given to the President by Congress
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• Those that the President assumed during a crisis or that evolved over time

For example, the use of the veto, as expanded by Andrew Jackson, falls into the third category, where the power was assumed and evolved over time. Truman's action in Korea fits into the first category to an extent, as the president is the commander-in-chief. Still, it also overlaps with the third category because it assumed powers during the crisis of the Cold War. Modern presidents use signing statements to interpret legislation, which is not explicitly given by the Constitution but has evolved as a practice.