Comparative Law Review

Comparative Law Review

Lawmaking by the Stroke of a Pen: Presidential Unilateral Actions in the U.S. Legal System Lawmaking by the Stroke of a Pen: Presidential Unilateral Actions in the U.S. Legal System

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
1 Associate Prof, Department of Law, Faculty of Humanities, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
2 MA. in Public Law, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
3 MA. In Public Law, Department of Law, Farabi College, University of Tehran, Qom, Iran
Abstract
This article aims to examine the status, nature, and scope of the President of the United States' authority to issue unilateral directives. Using an analytical approach, it seeks to answer the fundamental question of what the theoretical and legal foundations of these directives are, what types they include, and to what extent they can be constrained within the framework of the Constitution and the fundamental principles of separation of powers. The article explores the theoretical bases of these powers and analyzes various forms of unilateral presidential directives, including executive orders, proclamations, national security directives, and executive agreements. The findings indicate that although such directives are not explicitly mentioned in the text of the Constitution, they have gained relative legitimacy through a broad interpretation of the Executive Power Clause in Article II, becoming a key tool for presidents. However, the extensive use of these powers has raised concerns about the concentration of executive authority and the weakening of oversight and participatory mechanisms in the U.S. governance system. The continued legitimacy and effectiveness of unilateral directives depend on relative cooperation from Congress, judicial oversight, and public acceptance.
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