Critique or defend the constitutional doctrine known as the unitary executive
What will be an ideal response?
An ideal response will:
1, Define the unitary executive as a doctrine that proposes that the executive branch is under the direct control of the president, who has all authority necessary to control the actions of federal bureaucracy personnel and units without interference from the other federal branches.
2, Explain that President George W. Bush revived this long-dormant doctrine, and provide examples of the way in which he used it: by issuing signing statements and executive orders, and by engaging in regulatory review.
3, Take a position on the appropriateness of this doctrine. A supportive position might justify the doctrine in terms of the concept of popular sovereignty, or the notion that the bureaucracy should be closely controlled by elected representatives. A critical position might argue that this doctrine leads to overreach in presidential authority and that administrative discretion is appropriate under some circumstances, such as when agencies are dealing with technically and scientifically complex policy issues.