3A.3.4 Debates on the US presidency Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Politics, Unit 3

The 20 questions

1. Which historian popularised the term 'imperial presidency' in his famous 1973 book?

   • Alexis de Tocqueville
   • James David Barber
   • Richard Neustadt
   • Arthur Schlesinger Jr

2. What concept describes a president's ability to achieve their stated policy goals and legislative agenda?

   • Constitutional legitimacy
   • Executive privilege
   • Policy effectiveness
   • Popularity rating

3. What key advisory body, expanded over time, directly assists the president without requiring Senate confirmation?

   • The Cabinet
   • Senate Committee
   • Executive Office
   • Supreme Court

4. Which term describes a presidency severely restricted by hyper-partisanship and divided government?

   • Imperilled presidency
   • Two-presidencies thesis
   • Imperial presidency
   • Unitary executive

5. What term describes legislative paralysis caused by extreme political polarisation between US parties?

   • Congressional gridlock
   • Partisan realignment
   • Executive overreach
   • Filibuster reform

6. In which national situation do presidential powers and public support traditionally expand most rapidly?

   • Supreme Court appointments
   • Economic recessions
   • Foreign policy crises
   • Midterm elections

7. Which congressional vote can override a presidential veto, demonstrating a strong constitutional constraint?

   • Simple majority
   • Unanimous consent
   • Two-thirds majority
   • Three-quarters majority

8. Which constitutional role allows the US president to direct armed forces without prior declaration of war?

   • Chief diplomat
   • Head of state
   • Chief legislator
   • Commander-in-chief

9. What primary mechanism allows presidents to direct executive agency operations without congressional approval?

   • Congressional statutes
   • Constitutional amendments
   • Treaty ratifications
   • Executive orders

10. Which political scientist argued that presidential power is essentially 'the power to persuade'?

    • John Locke
    • Montesquieu
    • Arthur Schlesinger Jr
    • Richard Neustadt

11. What primary factor drives US presidents to rely more on executive orders?

    • Supreme Court rulings
    • Constitutional amendments
    • Cabinet resignations
    • Congressional gridlock

12. Why are executive orders considered less durable than statutory legislation?

    • Binding forever
    • Easily reversed
    • Constitutional immunity
    • Require Senate ratification

13. Which term describes a presidency marked by high visibility but limited legislative control?

    • Plenary presidency
    • Unitary executive
    • Imperilled presidency
    • Imperial presidency

14. According to Richard Neustadt, what is the primary informal power of the US president?

    • Power to persuade
    • Power to veto
    • Power to pardon
    • Power of appointment

15. The unitary executive theory asserts that the president has total authority over which branch?

    • Executive branch
    • Legislative branch
    • Judicial branch
    • State governments

16. Which institution challenges the unitary executive theory by controlling agency budgets and creation?

    • Federal Reserve
    • Electoral College
    • Supreme Court
    • US Congress

17. Presidential effectiveness depends heavily on constitutional powers and which other crucial factor?

    • Foreign treaties
    • Political context
    • Judicial appointments
    • Executive orders

18. Which mechanism allows presidents to make foreign commitments without Senate approval?

    • Executive orders
    • Executive agreements
    • Signing statements
    • Recess appointments

19. Which factor contributes most to the view that the modern domestic presidency is imperilled?

    • Unilateral treaties
    • Legislative gridlock
    • Commander-in-chief powers
    • Executive privilege

20. In which policy area is the US presidency widely considered most imperial?

    • Domestic policy
    • Social policy
    • Foreign policy
    • Economic policy

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