Discuss the essential architecture of the modern institutional presidency and how it differs in both function and scope from the early institutional structure

Question

Provide examples to demonstrate the differences and to show how each architectural component contributes to the functioning of the executive branch.

Answer 1

The ideal answer should:
a. Discuss generally how social problems, efforts at rationalization, and the two world wars that occurred early in the twentieth century led to a fundamental restructuring of the institutional office of the presidency.
b. Explain how by the mid-twentieth century the basic architecture of the institutional presidency consisted of the Executive Office of the President, a growing number of policy-specific executive departments, and a range of independent agencies and government corporations.
c. Compare and contrast the functions of the three main architectural components, noting that the EOP is essentially the command center for the executive branch, that the cabinet-level departments play an important advisory role to the president on matters of public policy, and that the independent agencies and government corporations work to fulfill important administrative functions in an environment that is relatively free of political maneuvering.
d.Provide clear examples of all three levels of the institutional presidency, which could include the White House Office, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.