Social Sciences and History / Unit 8 SSH 0717 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Order or Law? Classifying a Presidential Act
The idea
The exam describes a presidential act and asks what instrument it is. An executive order is a rule issued without Congress that has the force of law but lacks a statute's permanence. An executive agreement is an international agreement made by the executive without formal Senate consent, easier than a treaty but narrower. A treaty requires Senate ratification. A pardon absolves a federal conviction and needs no one's approval. A signing statement accompanies a signed bill to influence its enforcement. A veto rejects a passed bill; a line-item veto exists for governors, not the president. Executive privilege withholds information.
In practice
Given "the president directed every agency to change a practice, citing no statute", executive order. Given "the president and a foreign leader settled a fishing dispute without the Senate", executive agreement. Given "the Senate ratified the pact by two-thirds", treaty. Given "the president signed the bill and declared one section would not be enforced", signing statement. Given "the president refused to hand a memo to a committee", executive privilege. Ask whether the act rules, binds abroad, forgives, comments, or withholds.
Where people slip
The trap is durability: an order can be undone by the next president or by a statute, which is why the anchor calls it less permanent. The second trap is scope: an agreement is easier than a treaty and narrower.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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