Political Dictionary 14

Prepared by a Student

Executive Article- Article II of the constitution; it grants all executive power to the President. The president is given the power to command armed forces, to make treaties, has the power to veto or approve legislation from congress, to receive diplomatic representatives, as well as to grant pardons and reprieves.

Mass Media- The many forms of communication to the public—be it newspaper, radio etc. The mass media serves as a medium between the government and the people. For this reason there have been many political scientists who consider the media to be a fourth branch of the government.

Imperial Presidency- This term is used to define a president that is determined to be unchecked by congress. An imperial president would act without consulting congress or receiving it. In this case, the president is unaccountable to the people through their representatives.

Oath of Office- A sworn oath taken by the president the day he takes office. This can be found in Article II, section 1, Clause 8. To sum it up, he swears that he will use the powers in his office to the best of his ability and be the protector of the constitution of the United States.

Executive Order- This is a directive, rule, or regulation that has the same effect as a law. His ability to do this stems from the executive order. This is not actually mentioned in the constitution, but rather, there is reason to believe that it was implied.

Ordinance of Power- The ordinance of power is intended by the constitution to give the necessary powers to issue orders. Like the Executive order that stems from it, the ordinance of power is not mentioned in the constitution, but is implied. The other source of its existence is through acts of congress.

Treaty- A formal agreement between two or more sovereign states. This requires the approval of congress. The approval of congress is the key difference between the formal Treaty, and the informal agreement between two countries that is the executive agreement

Executive Agreement- a pact between the president and another head of a foreign state. This is not formal, and does not require the approval of congress.

An example of a use of the executive agreement could be found in the year of 1940 where the "destroyers for bases" occurred between Great Britain and the United States.

Recognition- the recognition of the legal existence of a foreign country. This is significant, for diplomatic, and often economic reasons. An example of recognition for diplomatic reasons occurred when the U.S. recognized the Peoples Republic of China.

Persona Non Grata- Literally translated: an unwelcome person. This is a term used from one country to another to have an ambassador, or any diplomat that is in need of being recalled. This is a rare occasion used for diplomatic reasons against someone who is in great need of being recalled.

Line Item Veto-. The president is able to, through the line item veto, cancel specific dollar amounts on the bills. This can be an effective way to simply nullify bills. The line item veto is justified as a weapon against wasteful federal spending. In 1998 in Clinton V New York City the supreme court struck down this power, but offered its renewed existence in the form of an amendment.

Reprieve- the postponement of the execution of a sentence. A Reprieve could also mean a temporary freedom of a prisoner. This is one of the many pardoning powers that the president has the power to use. 

Pardon- when a politician in an executive office (president or governor) declares the punishment of a crime to be null. Probably the most famous example of a pardon was used by ford. It was he that pardoned Nixon for his crimes. Generally, when one in an executive office grants a pardon

Clemency- the power to give reprieves and pardons. This can only be used in federal offenses, as the president has no authority to those who violate state law.

Commutation- the power to reduce the punishment provided the reasoning is sound. This is just one of the many "pardoning powers." Often times, commutation is linked to a prisoner's good behavior. These cases are handled by the executive branch.

Amnesty- a "blanket pardon" that is generally used to forgive all offenders of a certain crime. The most famous version of Amnesty was used to declare all draft dodgers innocent.