The Limits of Presidential Power: A Citizen's Guide to the Law — Table of Contents and Introduction

Abstract

Written for a general audience, this guide provides an overview of the laws governing presidential power in the United States. It begins with an overview of the federal government. It then discusses the powers that the law provides a president, as well as the tools a president might use to exercise those powers. These include executive orders, involvement in agency rulemaking, and the exercise of enforcement-related discretion. The guide then identifies and explores legally supported checks on presidential power (emanating from Congress, the Executive Branch, the federal courts, state governments, and non-governmental actors) before turning to a case study: the evolution of climate change policy in the United States. The guide concludes with suggestions for how individuals can use their knowledge of the laws of presidential power to more effectively participate in politics. The accompanying download provides the book’s table of contents and its introduction only.

Keywords: executive power, executive branch, separation of power, checks and balances, constitutional law, impeachment, First Amendment, citizens, regulation, executive orders, enforcement discretion, civics