GED Social Studies TestCivics and GovernmentMedium
A political analyst is studying the evolution of presidential power. They observe that over time, the President's role has expanded beyond explicitly stated constitutional powers, often in response to national crises or technological advancements. This expansion of power, not explicitly written but considered necessary to carry out expressed duties, is primarily based on which concept?
- AImplied Powers
- BReserved Powers
- CConcurrent Powers
- DEnumerated Powers
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Implied Powers
Implied powers are those powers exercised by the President or Congress that are not expressly granted by the Constitution but are inferred to be necessary to achieve the objectives of the national government.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Reserved powers are those granted to the states by the Tenth Amendment, not to the federal government or the President.
- C. Concurrent powers are those shared by both federal and state governments, which is not the focus of presidential power expansion in this context.
- D. Enumerated powers are those explicitly listed in the Constitution, which contradicts the scenario of expanded power 'beyond explicitly stated' ones.
Implied Powers
Powers of the U.S. government that are not explicitly granted by the Constitution but are inferred as necessary to implement the enumerated powers.
- Derived from the 'Necessary and Proper Clause' (Article I, Section 8)
- Allows the federal government to adapt to new circumstances
- Often a source of debate regarding the scope of federal power
Memory trick: Implied powers are 'implied' (hinted at) by the Constitution.