The Paradoxes of the American Presidency

by Cronin, Thomas E.; Genovese, Michael A.

• ISBN13: 9780195116939
• ISBN10: 0195116933
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-01-22
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

What exactly do Americans want from their president? A strong and innovative leader or someone who primarily listens to the will of the people? A programmatic party leader or a pragmatic bipartisan coalition-builder? A president who exercises power forcefully or someone who establishesconsensus before doing anything? In their provocative new book, The Paradoxes of the American Presidency, Cronin and Genovese suggest Americans want the president to be both a leader and a follower, partisan and bipartisan, innovative and conservative. Cronin and Genovese explore the complex institution of the American Presidency by viewing it as a series of paradoxes which shape and define the office. The authors look at the clashing expectations and contrarian demands placed upon the president, offering students the opportunity to begin tounderstand the dilemma faced by all incumbents -- how to bring leadership into a separated system where expectations far exceed the resources and power available to the incumbent. The authors focus on the various relationships all presidents must develop if they are to lead successfully -- relationsbetween the president and Congress, the public, and the courts; the managerial side of the executive branch; the new roles of the cabinet, Vice President, and president's spouse; the vagaries of the selection process; and the inherent contradictions of leadership in a democratic system. Written in alively, engaging style, this comprehensive, interpretive work represents the collaboration of two highly respected presidential scholars. This is a major end-of-the-century treatment of one of Americas most important political institutions.

Author Biography

Thomas E. Cronin is a noted political scientist and writer He serves as President of Whitman College Michael A. Genovese is Professor of Political Science and Director of the Institute for Leadership Studies

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
Presidential Paradoxes	p. 1
Electing the American President	p. 29
Evaluating Presidential Performance	p. 66
Presidential Power and Leadership	p. 104
The Presidential Job Description in a Separated System	p. 132
The President and Congress	p. 171
The President and Political Parties	p. 206
The President and the Supreme Court	p. 224
The President and Cabinet	p. 273
The American Vice Presidency	p. 314
"If Men Were Angels ...": Presidential Leadership and Accountability	p. 349
Notes	p. 381
Selected Bibliography	p. 419
Index	p. 427
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