PS 1 - AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
Fall 2012
ESSAY QUESTIONS FOR THE FINAL EXAM:
1. DOES THE PRESIDENT HAVE MORE POWER AND INFLUENCE IN THE DOMESTIC ARENA OR THE FOREIGN POLICY ARENA? GIVE EXAMPLES AND EXPLAIN YOUR REASONING.
Describe foreign powers and domestic powers. Powers given in the constitution and added on powers. Declare war by sending troops. Executive agreements. The president has less check and balances in the foreign arena. He cant introduce a bill. It has to go through his party. Not one bill has gone through because his party is in the minority in the house. Foreign policy he has a long leash. Congress hasn’t tried to stop him. Criticized domestically but not in foreign policy. They don’t want to make him look weak. Congress and Courts don’t want to challenge the president in foreign policy so that the country doesn’t appear to be divided. Long leash because they don’t want to be blamed for tragedy. Challenge domestically because no repercussions over seas. Commander in Chief.
2. BESIDES THE POWER TO PASS LEGISLATION, WHAT OTHER POWERS DOES CONGRESS HAVE TO INFLUENCE THE POLICY-MAKING PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT?
Describe the other functions of congress: Lawmaking, Balancing the budget (whether we have a deficit or higher taxes) initiative of congress, revenue bills, tax bills, appropriations federal agency and program is funded by congress, ways and means is creating the budget, impeach the president or federal judges, confirm all presidential appointments (judge, .sec. of state), constitutional amendments. Declaring war, Oversight committees.
3. EXPLAIN THE INFLUENCE OF POLITICS IN THE PROCESS OF JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT AND JUDICIAL CONFIRMATION.
12/13/12
9 Justices = 1 Chief justice + 9 associate justices.
Sonoma County: John Roberts
Retirenment = political decision, timing, calculation.
Pres. Appt. = Party affiliation.
Confirmation = Senate confirms.
1.Senate Judiciary Committee – confirmation hearings.
A....