Title: The powers of the American President - History Learning Site
Headings: The powers of the American President
The powers of the American President
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Content: The president does not govern by himself. “ The president of America is not the government of the US.” ( Bowles) The government of America is by co-operation and the theory is that the executive, legislative and judiciary should work together in harmony to formulate policy. The president has to seek co-operation but he also has to be seen to be leading the nation. This is one of the great ironies of being ‘the most powerful man in the world’. As the leader of his nation he has to be seen to lead yet he is frequently engaged in negotiations etc. ( either personally or by proxy) with politicians based in the Capitol. Instances do exist where this co-operation has broken down but it is rare and it is usual for all three partners in government to work together as anything else discredits the whole system. In the past, when a breakdown has occurred, Congress has received the blame thus giving the president an edge over it as an institution. For normal day-to-day purposes the president has to accept that senators and representatives have their own legitimate power bases and these have to be recognised.