The Executive: Definition and Historical Background

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In addition to reviewing basic facts about the executive branch - its role in the separated powers, its basic design, that sort of thing - this section walks through the historical development of the institution. Attention will be paid to the division of the executive power into a presidential - that is, political - and bureaucratic - that is, professional - component. The historical background will focus on the evolution of executive power over time. In a sense this is the flip side of the story told about the legislature. The increased power of the legislature came - thankfully - at the expense of the executive power, specifically the power of the British monarchy. As mentioned elsewhere, the result of this conflict is embedded in the language of the U.S. Constitution, the powers granted to the executive and the relationship is has with the other two branches.

Blog tags:

- Magna Carta.
- The Bureacracy.
- The Executive Branch.
- The Stuart Monarchy.