Changes to the role of the presidency | AP US Government and Politics | Khan Academy

TL;DR

The role of the presidency has dramatically changed over time, with more power being concentrated in the hands of the president due to the need for quick action and the desires of politicians to fulfill campaign promises.

Transcript

• So, John, how has the role of the presidency changed over the last several hundreds of years? - It's changed dramatically. First of all, when the founders created the presidency, they left it kinda loose. They weren't exactly very specific about what a president would do. And they realized that the first president, George Washington, and this is ... Read More

Key Insights

• 😫 The presidency was intentionally left vague by the founders, relying on the character of the first president to set a virtuous precedent.
• 🫱 Wars and the need for quick action led to the concentration of power in the hands of the president.
• 🫱 Congress has gradually relinquished power to the president, including the authority to make war.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has the role of the presidency changed over time?

The role of the presidency has evolved from a loosely defined position to one with greater power and influence. The character and behavior of the first president, George Washington, set the tone for future presidents. Over time, more power and authority have been vested in the president, deviating from the founders' original intentions.

Q: Why didn't the founders have a clear idea of what a president should do?

The founders did not have a clear idea of what a president should do because there was no precedent for the office. They wanted to avoid having a king, like the one they had just fought against, and did not want a leader swayed by mob rule. Therefore, they relied on the virtue and character of the first president to guide the role.

Q: How did the president gain more power over Congress?

In times of war, the need for quick action led to the consolidation of power in the hands of the president. Congress gradually ceded power to the president, including the authority to make war, as there was a societal demand for swift action. This shift resulted in a departure from the original arrangement of power outlined in the Constitution.

Q: Why does the concentration of power in the presidency continue to happen?

The concentration of power continues to happen because each new president inherits the accumulated powers of their predecessors. Additionally, political parties, which now hold significant influence, often align closely with the president, leading to less resistance and a lack of effort to reclaim power by members of Congress. Furthermore, politicians' promises during campaigns create a desire for extensive powers to fulfill their campaign pledges.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The presidency was initially created with vague guidelines, relying on the virtue and character of the first president, George Washington, to set the precedent for future presidents.

• As time passed, the presidency evolved with more power being granted to the president, especially during times of war, which led to a concentration of power away from Congress.

• The concentration of power in the presidency is a result of politicians' desires for quick action and the need to fulfill campaign promises, leading to a disregard for the original intentions of the founders.