Teacher Supports for Regulation of Society and the Economy Case Study Supplemental Links 

• Lesson: The Balance of Power between the Legislative and Executive Branches
  • In this lesson, students will evaluate how the growth of an administrative state in the United States has affected constitutional principles. 
• Video: 2021 AP Government Prep with Paul Sargent #3 | Reviewing the Executive Branch and Bureaucracy
  • This video focuses on the executive branch, especially on the powers of the president, and checks on those powers. Starting around minute 27, the federal bureaucracy is reviewed, focusing on the role of the bureaucracy in implementing policy and the problems with regulation of the bureaucracy. Watch the section of the video between 27:00 and 35:11 for the relevant content. 
• Video: 2020 AP Government Prep Episode #6 | The Federal Bureaucracy 
  • This video covers what federal agencies’ roles are in running the country and the powers given to these unelected parts of the government. 

Sample Questions to use with Discussion Protocols

• You may use the following questions when discussing the case studies with your students. Here are suggestions on how to lead discussions in your classroom: Discussion Protocols. 
• These questions will help students explore the complex interactions between executive expansion, regulatory effectiveness, and Founding principles, fostering a deeper understanding of the structure and challenges of modern governance. 
  • Representation and Self-Governance: 
    • How does the expansion of the executive branch through regulatory agencies affect the principle of self-governance? Do you believe this expansion enhances or diminishes the voice of the people? 
    • Consider the idea that unelected officials in regulatory agencies are making decisions that impact millions of people. How does this support or conflict with the democratic principle of representation? 
  • Effectiveness of Regulatory Agencies: 
    • Are regulatory agencies more effective at addressing complex societal and economic issues than elected bodies such as Congress? Provide examples to support your argument.
    • Discuss the impact of regulatory agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on daily life. Are their interventions generally beneficial, or do they sometimes overreach? Give specific instances. 
  • Change Over Time: 
    • How has the role of the executive branch in regulating society and the economy evolved over the last century? Consider factors such as technological advancements, economic shifts, and political climate changes. 
    • Analyze the historical reasons for the expansion of the executive branch’s regulatory authority. What major events or societal needs prompted this growth? 
  • Balance of Power and Checks and Balances: 
    • How does the expansion of the executive branch influence the balance of power among the three branches of government? Does it threaten the system of checks and balances? 
    • In what ways could Congress and the judiciary check the power of regulatory agencies? Are these methods effective, or should they be reformed? 
    • Should there be a limit to the power and reach of executive branch regulatory agencies? How can such limits be effectively implemented while still allowing these agencies to fulfill their roles?