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Lesson 23: What Is the Role of the President in the American Constitutional System?

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Lesson Purpose

The president of the United States is among the most powerful political figures in the world. In the international realm the president speaks for the country and is the symbol of America. At home the president suggests the policy agenda for Congress and is the leader of his or her political party. Americans look to the president for leadership, while at the same time fearing the concentration of political power in the executive branch. This lesson examines sources of presidential power and ways that checks and balances limit presidential power.

When you have finished this lesson, you should be able to explain the president's constitutional responsibilities and how the office of president has evolved. You also should be able to identify various constitutional and political checks on the president's power. You should be able to explain fundamental differences between the office of prime minister in a parliamentary system and the American presidency. Finally, you should be able to evaluate, take, and defend positions on issues involving the exercise of presidential power and the relationship between the president and the other branches of government.

Lesson Objectives

When you have finished this lesson, you  should be able to
  • explain the president’s constitutional responsibilities and how the office of president has evolved,
  • identify various constitutional and political checks on the president’s power,
  • explain fundamental differences between the office of prime minister in a parliamentary system and the American presidency, and
  • evaluate, take, and defend positions on issues involving the exercise of presidential power and the relationship between the president and the other branches of government.

Lesson Terms

commander in chief

commander in chief

Highest ranked person of the military forces. According to the U.S. Constitution, the president is commander in chief of the nation's armed forces.
executive orders
executive power

Lesson Biographies

Washington, George (1732-1799 CE)
Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826 CE)
Hamilton, Alexander (1755-1804 CE)
Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865 CE)
Roosevelt, Theodore (1858-1919 CE)
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (1882-1945 CE)
Truman, Harry (1884-1972 CE)
Johnson, Lyndon B. (1908-1973 CE)
Kennedy, John F. (1917-1963 CE)

Lesson Court Cases

Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Ex Parte Milligan (1866)
Youngstown Sheet and Tube Co. v. Sawyer (1952)
United States v. Nixon (1974)
Clinton v. Jones (1997)
Clinton v. City of New York (1997)

Lesson Primary Sources

Federal Register

The Federal Register is the official journal of the U.S. federal government, and contains unclassified public notices from federal agencies. It publishes all unclassified changes to rules and regulations, as well as notices of meetings.

Access the Material

Federalist No. 68
Nixon's statement about Congressional action on the Philadelphia Plan, 1969
Federalist No. 51
United States Constitution
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