Presidential System Definition, Overview & Function

While the president can set policy through executive agencies and the use of executive orders, the role of chief policymaker is easier to accomplish if their party is in the majority in the legislature. In the modern-day United States, this generally means controlling both the House and Senate. If a minority party controls the legislature, it is very easy for them to stymie the president's legislative agenda. Conversely, the president can veto legislation that they do not feel aligns with their policy goals.

Chief of Party

Since the early days of the United States, politics have been organized by political parties. As the most significant elected official in the country, the president serves as the chief of their political party. This entails tasks such as coordinating and shaping the party's policy program and backing congressional and gubernatorial candidates by endorsing them and helping raise money for their campaigns. The president's goal is to help their party win in subsequent legislative elections, as greater representation in the legislature will help them fulfill their role as chief policymaker.

Chief Guardian of the Economy

The president shares the responsibility for the state of the economy with Congress. Yet, the president is expected to propose initiatives ensuring that the economy is on the right track; that's why he or she is sometimes seen as a chief guardian of the economy.

This role overlaps with their role as chief policymaker. For example, having negotiated its content with Congress, in February 2009 President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the goal of which was to resume economic growth following the Great Recession. Similarly, supporters of President Donald Trump consider the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act, a piece of economic legislation, to be one of his most significant accomplishments.

Commander-in-Chief

As command-in-chief, the president gives orders to all branches of the United States military. They also make important decisions about whether, when, and how to use the American troops in combat. The president appoints top military commanders subject to the Senate's confirmation.

While the president has wide latitude over military matters, the formal authority to declare war belongs to Congress, although it has not been used since 1942. Since the early years of the War On Terror, American presidents have relied on a piece of legislation known as the Authorization for the Use of Military Force of 2001 (AUMF) to order military operations without a declaration of war. This has proven highly controversial over multiple administrations and has frequently been the subject of attempts to repeal it.

Chief Diplomat

The president is generally seen as the head of American foreign policy. The president, usually through representatives, negotiates treaties with foreign countries, subject to ratification by the Senate. They also negotiate and sign executive agreements, which do not need Senate approval but can be easily overridden by a subsequent administration. The president also appoints US ambassadors abroad, subject to confirmation by the Senate. In addition, the president represents the US abroad as their statements convey the official positions of the US government.

Former President Barack Obama meeting Russian President Medvedev

The separation of powers inherent in the presidential system means that the various branches of government check one another's actions, in theory preventing any from becoming too powerful. For example, the president can veto bills proposed by Congress, while Congress can reject the president's legislative proposals without fear of repercussions. By contrast, in a parliamentary system, the prime minister can usually dissolve the parliament if its members disagree with their agenda, and this can sometimes lead to chaos.

The presidential system also usually provides more stability in the government. The president is elected for a term of four years and, lacking exceptional circumstances, their term cannot be cut short. The president also can make decisions single-handedly. They do not need to consult with other party leaders in the legislature, which is often the case with prime ministers. This speeds up the decision-making process.

Disadvantages

In some circumstances, these advantages are twisted into hindrances. In the modern-day United States, political polarization has resulted in the separation of powers being weaponized to produce multiple levels of gridlock. While gridlock can occur in parliamentary systems, the reliance of the prime minister on the confidence of the house means it manifests itself in different ways.

Under the presidential system, it is very difficult to remove a president before their term expires. Because impeachment is largely a political rather than legal process, in the United States it is difficult to obtain convictions through this process, as the president's party is unlikely to vote for their removal from office in most circumstances.

In the presidential system, the president performs seven basic roles. As chief executive, they head the executive branch. As chief of state, they represent the nation and engage in activities that serve as an inspiration to the people. As chief of the party, the president helps their fellow party members to win elections. As chief policymakers, they set up and coordinate policy with Congress; the president can propose laws and exercise veto power but cannot pass laws. As chief guardian of the economy, the president tries to limit unemployment, keep inflation low, and ensure the general prosperity of the country. The president is also a commander-in-chief of the armed forces and a chief diplomat, directing the nation's foreign policy.