Final answer:
Executive orders, executive agreements, and the bully pulpit enhance the president's powers over Congress by allowing for direct action without legislative approval. These tools help the president implement policy, influence foreign relations, and sway public opinion to pressure legislative change.
Step-by-step explanation:
The powers of the president over Congress can be increased through several mechanisms including executive orders, executive agreements, and the use of the bully pulpit. Executive orders are directives from the President that manage operations of the federal government and have the force of law. They bypass Congress and can be a powerful tool in implementing the President's policies, especially if the courts uphold them.
Executive agreements are international agreements made by the President that do not require Senate approval, unlike formal treaties. These agreements can greatly influence foreign policy and are another avenue where the President can operate independently of Congress. The bully pulpit refers to the President's ability to use the office's visibility to communicate directly with the public and influence public opinion, thereby pressuring Congress to act in accordance with the President's legislative goals. This term was coined by President Theodore Roosevelt, emphasizing the presidency's platform for advocacy.
Together, these tools can significantly enhance the President's power relative to Congress, enabling the President to shape policy both domestically and internationally without the need for legislative approval. However, Congress retains the ability to check these powers, for example by amending laws that counter executive orders or by exercising its powers over budget and appropriations.