Final answer:
The "waxing and waning of presidential power" refers to the fluctuations in the President of the United States' authority, influenced by external and internal events, congressional action, and the use of tools such as executive orders and agreements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The "waxing and waning of presidential power" refers to the fluctuating nature of the authority wielded by the President of the United States over time. This dynamic can be shaped by various factors such as international events, domestic crises, and legislative actions. For instance, following the events of Vietnam and Watergate, the authority of the presidency was challenged, prompting Congress to attempt to assert itself as a coequal branch, especially in the realm of foreign policy. The War Powers Resolution, while aiming to bolster congressional war powers, actually underscored presidential authority in the initial stages of military conflicts.
Significant events such as the war on terrorism after 9/11 have further amplified the president's powers. Presidential tools like executive orders and executive agreements—used in areas where Congress has delegated authority to the executive—have also extended this trend, often circumventing the need for formal legislation and treaties.
The degree to which presidential power expands or contracts can also depend on the personal capacity of the president to lead, the state of the nation, and the strength of democratic institutions which hold the potential to check the excesses of presidential ambition.