18 concepts the spec wants you to use precisely, drawn from the Panther database. Read them, then test yourself.
In test mode, tap a concept to reveal its definition.
The concepts
Imperial presidency(tap to reveal)- A description of the US presidency when it is seen as having accumulated too much power, bypassing the checks designed to limit it.
Imperilled presidency(tap to reveal)- A description of the US presidency when it is seen as too weak to govern effectively, constrained by Congress, the courts, and other pressures.
Informal powers (US presidency)(tap to reveal)- Powers the President exercises in practice that are not written in the Constitution, such as dominating the media or negotiating with party leaders.
Bully pulpit(tap to reveal)- The president's ability to use their public platform and media attention to appeal directly to citizens and influence public opinion.
Cabinet government(tap to reveal)- A system where the president relies heavily on cabinet secretaries for advice and implementation of policy, emphasizing their authority and independence.
Electoral mandate (US)(tap to reveal)- The authority a newly elected President claims to govern according to the policies they campaigned on, based on their election victory.
Executive Office of the President(tap to reveal)- The organization of offices and staff that support the president, including the White House Office, OMB, NSC, and other agencies.
Executive agreements(tap to reveal)- Agreements between the president and foreign governments that do not require Senate ratification, unlike treaties.
Executive orders(tap to reveal)- Instructions issued directly by the US President that have the force of law, without needing Congress to pass new legislation.
Executive privilege(tap to reveal)- The president's power to withhold information from Congress or courts on grounds of national security or confidentiality of executive deliberations.
Going public(tap to reveal)- A presidential strategy of appealing directly to the public through speeches and media to build pressure on Congress to support the administration's agenda.
Honeymoon period(tap to reveal)- The period immediately after a president takes office when they typically enjoy peak approval ratings and legislative cooperation from Congress.
Kitchen cabinet(tap to reveal)- Informal advisors and close aides to the president who exercise influence outside the formal cabinet structure.
Lame duck(tap to reveal)- A president in their final term unable to run for re-election, often losing influence and legislative effectiveness in their last months in office.
Line-item veto(tap to reveal)- The power to reject specific spending provisions in a bill while approving the rest; ruled unconstitutional in the US but used in some states.
Mandate(tap to reveal)- A president's perception of public support for their policies, based on election victory, allowing them to claim authority for implementing their agenda.
National Security Council(tap to reveal)- An executive body coordinating foreign policy and national security matters, chaired by the president and including the secretaries of state and defense.
Office of Management and Budget(tap to reveal)- The executive agency responsible for preparing the federal budget, coordinating administration policies, and managing regulatory review.