Chief Executives and Bureaucracies

What qualities do modern presidents need to fulfill their many roles?

Summary

The executive branch enforces the laws and carries out government policy. A chief executive leads this branch and oversees the work of the government bureaucracy,

Chief executives Mayors, governors, and presidents are all chief executives. They manage executive affairs at their level of government.

Presidential power The president has certain powers under the Constitution. Over time, however, presidential power has expanded as a result of custom and practice. Today the president enjoys powers beyond those listed in the Constitution.

Presidential roles The president plays many roles as head of the executive branch. Among these are chief executive, commander in chief, chief diplomat, and chief policymaker.

Organization of the executive branch The executive branch contains many officials, departments, and agencies. The president oversees the operations of these various groups, with assistance from advisers.

Bureaucracy Most Americans benefit from the services that local, state, and federal bureaucracies provide, despite complaints about bureaucratic inefficiency.