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Power and the Presidency: Nancy Meyer Emerick's Analysis

Dwayne Mitchell

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The presidency is the most powerful office in the world. The president of the United States has the authority to declare war, veto laws, and appoint judges to the Supreme Court. But how does the president actually get things done? And what are the limits of presidential power?

In her book "Power and the Presidency," Nancy Meyer Emerick argues that presidential power is not simply a matter of formal authority. Rather, it is a product of the president's ability to influence others. Emerick identifies three main sources of presidential influence: control over the agenda, control over information, and control over the bureaucracy.

Power And The Presidency

by Nancy Meyer-Emerick

4.1 out of 5

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## Control over the agenda

The president controls the agenda by setting the priorities for the government. He or she does this through a variety of means, such as public speeches, press conferences, and meetings with members of Congress. By setting the agenda, the president can influence the decisions that are made by other policymakers.

For example, President Obama's decision to make climate change a top priority led to the passage of the Paris Agreement on climate change. Similarly, President Trump's decision to focus on immigration led to the passage of a number of laws that made it more difficult for immigrants to enter the United States.

## Control over information

The president controls information by managing the flow of information to the public and to other policymakers. He or she does this through a variety of means, such as press conferences, interviews, and social media. By controlling information, the president can influence the way that people think about the issues that are facing the country.

For example, President Trump's use of Twitter to spread misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic led to a decline in public trust in the government's response to the pandemic. Similarly, President Obama's use of social media to connect with young people helped to mobilize support for his policies.

## Control over the bureaucracy

The president controls the bureaucracy by appointing the heads of federal agencies. He or she also has the authority to issue executive orders that direct federal agencies to take specific actions. By controlling the bureaucracy, the president can influence the implementation of his or her policies.

For example, President Obama's appointment of Janet Yellen as chair of the Federal Reserve led to a number of changes in monetary policy. Similarly, President Trump's appointment of Scott Pruitt as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency led to a number of changes in environmental regulations.

## Limits of presidential power

While the president has a great deal of power, it is not unlimited. The president's power is limited by the Constitution, by Congress, and by the courts.

The Constitution limits the president's power in a number of ways. For example, the Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war, to raise taxes, and to impeach the president. The Constitution also gives the Supreme Court the power to overturn presidential actions that are unconstitutional.

Congress can also limit the president's power by passing laws that restrict the president's authority. For example, Congress passed the War Powers Act in 1973 to limit the president's ability to wage war without the approval of Congress. Similarly, Congress passed the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act in 1974 to limit the president's ability to impound funds that have been appropriated by Congress.

The courts can also limit the president's power by overturning presidential actions that are unconstitutional. For example, the Supreme Court overturned President Bush's decision to detain suspected terrorists without trial in 2006. Similarly, the Supreme Court overturned President Trump's travel ban on citizens from several Muslim-majority countries in 2017.

The presidency is a powerful office, but it is not a dictatorship. The president's power is limited by the Constitution, by Congress, and by the courts. As a result, the president must use his or her power wisely in order to achieve his or her goals.

## References

* Emerick, Nancy Meyer. *Power and the Presidency.* Oxford University Press, 2014. * Neustadt, Richard E. *Presidential Power: The Politics of Leadership.* John Wiley & Sons, 2012. * Moe, Terry M. *The Institutional Presidency: Designing Democratic Government.* Columbia University Press, 2011.

Power And The Presidency

by Nancy Meyer-Emerick

4.1 out of 5