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words. Times New Roman Size 12 font, 1 inch margins on all sides. Write a summary of how the presidency will function in the 21st Century. Note the unequal distribution of power within both the first and second tiers of the federal branches of government. Consider the nation’s military institutions and President Obama’s healthcare legislation. Use and export knowledge from classes taken previously. Keep a small journal on the side to write about why and how you were thinking that way.(separate from the words) Just a few sentences in the end.

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The evolution of the presidency in the 21st Century is shaped by changing domestic and international dynamics, with significant shifts in the distribution of power within the federal government and external institutions such as the military and healthcare systems. This essay explores how presidential authority is projected and constrained amidst the unequal power distribution among the branches of government, the role of military institutions, and specific policy initiatives like President Obama’s healthcare law.

The United States' political framework is designed with a system of checks and balances among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. However, in recent decades, the presidency has increasingly assumed a more dominant role, especially in foreign policy and national security, often at the expense of the other branches. This shift is exemplified by the expansion of presidential powers through legislative authorizations, executive orders, and national security directives. The first tier of the federal government, primarily comprising Congress and the Presidency, often demonstrates a power imbalance, with presidents leveraging their constitutional authority to shape policy on multiple levels, including military intervention and economic management. Simultaneously, the second tier, chiefly the judiciary, functions as a counterbalance, yet sometimes exhibits deference to executive actions, especially in matters of national security (Howell, 2010).

Within this framework, the U.S. military institutions have become emblematic of the President’s significant influence. Contemporary presidents are often compelled to utilize military options unilaterally or with minimal congressional consultation, especially during crises. For instance, President Obama’s military interventions in Libya and Syria exemplify the president’s ability to deploy force under the authorization of the War Powers Resolution, though often criticized for bypassing congressional approval. The use of military force demonstrates the consolidation of power in the executive branch, yet also underscores ongoing tensions with Congress, which seeks to assert its constitutional role in declaring war (Levitsky & Ziblatt, 2018).

Simultaneously, the early 21st Century has seen a proliferation of legislative and policy initiatives that reshape the scope of presidential power, including in domestic spheres like healthcare. President Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) exemplifies the modern presidency’s capacity to influence major policy areas through executive actions and legislative negotiation. The ACA expanded the federal role in healthcare delivery, emphasizing the president’s ability to shape social policy while facing opposition from Congress and the judiciary. Obama’s use of administrative authority, along with legislative advocacy, exemplifies how modern presidents navigate institutional checks to implement significant policy agendas (Ginsberg et al., 2020).

The asymmetric distribution of power within the federal branches has profound implications for presidential functioning. Presidents increasingly act as policy champions, often relying on executive orders, signing statements, and administrative agencies to bypass legislative gridlock. This dynamic is reinforced by the politicization of Congress and the judiciary, which sometimes serve to counterbalance presidential initiatives, but often affirm the executive's dominant position rather than challenge it. The ongoing competition among branches underscores a central feature of 21st-century governance—power is concentrated in the presidency, yet kept in check through institutional resistance and legal constraints (Tulis, 2012).

The role of military institutions and healthcare policies illustrates the presidential ability to shape national priorities independently of the legislative process. Military actions are often initiated unilaterally under the president’s constitutional powers as Commander-in-Chief, while complex healthcare legislation reflects the president's capacity to leverage administrative authority to realize policy goals. These examples underscore the evolving nature of presidential power, which combines constitutional authority, legislative influence, and administrative leadership.

In conclusion, the presidency in the 21st Century functions within a nuanced landscape characterized by uneven power distribution across the federal branches, increasingly assertive military institutions, and policy initiatives like the ACA that exemplify executive influence. While the formal constitutional framework remains, real-world practice reveals a trend toward heightened presidential authority, often challenged or moderated by institutional resistance. Understanding this shifting dynamic is crucial to evaluating the effectiveness and limits of presidential power in navigating complex domestic and global issues.

References

  • Ginsberg, B., Lowi, T. J., Weir, M., & Tolbert, C. J. (2020). We the People: An Introduction to American Politics. W. W. Norton & Company.
  • Howell, W. G. (2010). Power without Persuasion: The Politics of Direct Presidential Action. Princeton University Press.
  • Levitsky, S., & Ziblatt, D. (2018). How Democracies Die. Bloomsbury Publishing.
  • Tulis, J. (2012). The Rhetorical Presidency. Princeton University Press.