Final answer:
Option C: The word that describes the inaction when the President and Congress cannot agree on policies is 'gridlock,' which can lead to significant government stalemates but is not always inevitable.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term used to describe the inaction that occurs when the President and Congress disagree over policies that should be enacted is gridlock. Gridlock is a situation where there is policy gridlock, and the government can come to a grinding halt, which is highly visible and characterized by public posturing and blaming each other for the impasse. This scenario has been evident in various presidential administrations where a division between Congress and the president existed.
For example, the notable stalemate between President Bill Clinton and the Republican Congress in 1995 led to a government shutdown. Still, gridlock may not be inevitable, as political parties eventually find common ground to move forward, thus suggesting a self-correcting aspect to the government's functioning.