Executive Power

Definition

Executive power refers to the authority and responsibilities granted to the executive branch of government, which is typically headed by a president or prime minister. This power encompasses the ability to enforce and administer the laws, as well as to make certain decisions and take actions on behalf of the state.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Executive power is often seen as declining in influence compared to the legislative branch, as the latter has the power to pass laws and oversee the executive's actions.
2. In presidential systems, the president holds significant executive power, including the ability to appoint and dismiss cabinet members, veto legislation, and serve as the commander-in-chief of the military.
3. In parliamentary systems, the prime minister and cabinet hold executive power, but are ultimately responsible to the legislative branch and can be removed through a vote of no confidence.
4. Semi-presidential systems combine elements of both presidential and parliamentary systems, with the president and prime minister sharing executive power and responsibilities.
5. The concept of judicial review, where the courts can rule on the constitutionality of executive actions, is a key check on executive power in many democratic systems.

Review Questions

• Explain how the decline of legislative influence relates to the executive power.
  • The decline of legislative influence can lead to an increase in executive power, as the executive branch may be able to exert more control over policymaking and implementation without the same level of oversight and checks from the legislative branch. This can happen when the legislative branch is unable or unwilling to effectively check the power of the executive, leading to a concentration of authority in the hands of the president or prime minister.
• Describe the key differences in how executive power is exercised in presidential, parliamentary, and semi-presidential regimes.
  • In presidential systems, the president holds significant executive power, including the ability to appoint and dismiss cabinet members, veto legislation, and serve as the commander-in-chief of the military. In parliamentary systems, the prime minister and cabinet hold executive power, but are ultimately responsible to the legislative branch and can be removed through a vote of no confidence. Semi-presidential systems combine elements of both, with the president and prime minister sharing executive power and responsibilities, leading to a more complex balance of power between the executive and legislative branches.
• Analyze the role of judicial review in limiting executive sovereignty and the challenges it poses for the executive branch.
  • Judicial review, where the courts can rule on the constitutionality of executive actions, is a key check on executive power in many democratic systems. This can limit the ability of the executive branch to act unilaterally and without oversight, as the judiciary can strike down executive orders or actions that are deemed to be unconstitutional. However, this can also create tensions between the executive and judicial branches, as the executive may view judicial review as an infringement on its authority and sovereignty. The challenge is to maintain a balance between the necessary checks and balances on executive power and the need for the executive to effectively carry out its duties and responsibilities.

Related terms

Separation of Powers: The division of government into distinct branches (executive, legislative, and judicial) with checks and balances to prevent the concentration of power in any one branch.

Unitary Executive Theory: The belief that the president, as the head of the executive branch, has broad and independent powers that cannot be constrained by the legislative or judicial branches.

Executive Orders: Directives issued by the president or prime minister that have the force of law, allowing the executive to implement policies without the approval of the legislative branch.