Presidential Powers - Assignment Example

Presidential Powers Presidential Powers Even though America is a democratic country, the functioning of its administrative system is somewhat different from that in other democratic countries. For example, in India, prime minister and his cabinet ministers are responsible for implementing public policies whereas in America, president holds supreme power in implementing various public policies. President of America is the head of the state as well as the head of the government whereas in India, president is the head of the state whereas the prime minister is the head of the government.

Being the head of the state and head of the government, American president enjoys a variety of powers in internal as well as external matters. Article II of the American Constitution, grants numerous powers to President of America. The power of president can be divided into two broad categories; one with respect to Domestic affairs and the other with respect to Foreign policy. This paper analyses the power of American president in through various perspectives. Type of powers of President of America “Article II of the Constitution vests the powers of the executive branch in the President of the United States and details the powers of that office”(Presidential powers, 2007).

In other words, executive power is vested up on the president of America. All the governmental agencies are working under the president and these agencies taking instructions from the president. For example, president is the commander in chief of the armed forces in America and these forces function based on the instructions of the president. For example, war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan started by American forces based on President’s instruction. It should be noted that apart from various administrative matters, president is responsible for preparing budgets in America.

Power related to legislature is another type of power enjoyed by the president of America. “Established by Article I of the Constitution, the Legislative Branch consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together form the United States Congress” (The Legislative Branch, 2012). The laws are passed by the legislative body after long discussions. Once the laws are passed by the legislative body, it is the duty of the president to make sure that the passed laws were implemented properly.

For example, the huge bailout package for assisting private and public organizations in America was passed by the Congress and implemented by the President Obama. President of America is responsible for appointing federal officials like judges, ambassadors, members of cabinet etc. However, president requires the approval of senate for such appointments. For example, at the time of retirement of a judge from the federal courts, president of America is responsible for appointing a new judge. However, such appointments require ratification from the senate.

Apart from appointing new officials, president has the power to remove any governmental officials. Suppose the American ambassador in a particular country is not functioning well. President has the authority to remove him and appoint a new person in that place. The implementation of public policies is another duty of the president. For example, Obama has recently introduced a healthcare plan to “Cover all Americans with health insurance by requiring employers to provide health insurance to their employees.

This healthcare plan also made child health insurance mandatory in America” (Obama’s Health Care Plan Summarized, 2009). Enforcement of equal pay for women is another public policy implemented by president Obama recently. Earlier, discrimination in wages with respect to gender was evident in American private employment sector. If the president is accused of any wrongdoing, Congress has the authority to correct him. However, congress cannot interfere directly into such matters. “Congress may vest its power to appoint a special prosecutor in the federal courts, and the court may then appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the charges made against the President” (Presidential powers, 2007).

In other words, Congress does not enjoy the power to correct the mistakes of President directly. However, it can seek the assistance of judiciary to correct the president. The duty of judiciary is to interpret the laws and policies based on the constitution. So, courts have the responsibility to prevent presidents from working against the norms of the constitution. It should be noted that in many other democratic countries, judiciary and executive often clash each other; however, in America, such incidents are extremely rare.

Presidential powers are determined by the constitution of America. On the other hand, public policies are determined by the president in consultation with the congress periodically. In other words, the power of the president remains the same unless the constitution makes any amendments whereas the public polices can be changed as per the likings of the president. Conclusions American president has executive power, power related to appointments, legislatures, public policies etc. He is responsible for taking decisions with respect to internal as well as external matters.

However, he has to take the approval of the Congress before implementing any polices. References Obama’s Health Care Plan Summarized, (2009). Retrieved from http://www.apaforprogress.org/obama%E2%80%99s-health-care-plan-summarized Presidential powers (2007). Retrieved from http://nationalparalegal.edu/conlawcrimproc_public/federalism/p residentialpowers.asp The Legislative Branch (2012). Retrieved from http://www.whitehouse.gov/our-government/legislative-branch