can someone explain this question for me, i am doing an essay, and i couldn't understand the topics?

Question

1) how would the supreme exective check the power of the legislature according to Federalist papers #51?

2) contrast authority and power according to Elite and Majoritarian theory. Can a leader like president bush have authority but lack real power?

Answer 1

These are wonderful questions, let me follow up and hopfully let you know in time for your paper.
A quick look at the Federalist paper 51 hints that the supreme executive cannot check the power of the legislature.
One branch cannot override another because they are equal.
answer #2 later

Answer 2

Ok. The question is asking you how could exective check the Power of Legislature according to Federalist papers... There was a point where the book taught you how federalist Power papers could be checked by Supreme Exective.


You need to retrospect where the book was explaining power of Federalist papers... The question wants to know HOW Supreme Exective can check the legislature of federalist papers.

2) contrast authority and power according to Elite and Majoritarian theory. Can a leader like president bush have authority but lack real power?

Let me rephrase the question for you.

Different authority and power according to Elite and Majoritarian theory. Can a Leader like Bush have authority but lack real power?

Answer 3

1) I think that the question is asking how the president's veto powers (a check on the legislative branch in the system of checks and balances) work. That is, if I am remembering my federalist papers correctly.

2) A definition of the elite theory can be found here: http://www.auburn.edu/~johnspm/gloss/elite_theory

A definition of the Majoritarian theory can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majoritarianism

I think that the question is asking you to compare power and authority using these two theories. Then, it is asking you to apply this to a real-life situation of the current president

I hope this helped!!