Final answer:
The president has several roles, such as chief legislator, where they can propose legislation, and chief bureaucrat, overseeing federal laws' execution. Their influence is limited by civil service employees' merit-based resistance and the Supreme Court's constitutional reviews. Divided government causes policy deadlock, necessitating compromise for policy enactment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Roles and Powers of the President
Chief legislator: In this role, the president has the power to set the policy agenda, propose legislation, and advocate for congressional action. The president can employ the formal institutional powers of the office, but their effectiveness also depends on their informal powers of persuasion and negotiation.
Chief bureaucrat or chief administrator: The president oversees the execution of federal laws and the operation of the federal bureaucracy. They can make appointments to key governmental positions, although many require Senate confirmation.
Limits on the President's Influence in Policy Making
Civil service employees: Bound by merit rather than patronage, civil servants may exhibit resistance to changes proposed by the president, thereby limiting his or her influence on policy implementation.
The Supreme Court: It can challenge presidential actions by ruling on their constitutionality, directly affecting the president's ability to implement policies.
Divided Government and Policy-Making
The influence of divided government often results in policy deadlock. When the president's party does not control both houses of Congress, compromise and cooperation become vital for policy enactment. However, a divided government can lead to significant negotiation hurdles, slowing down or stalling the president's policy agenda.