The Politics of the Presidency

by Thomas, Norman C.; Pika, Joseph August

• ISBN13: 9781568023168
• ISBN10: 1568023162
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-08-01
• Publisher: Cq Pr

Summary

Now updated to include the first six months of the second Clinton term, this book focuses on how presidents govern -- how they fulfill their multitude of obligations -- both in Washington and beyond. The authors view the presidency as a highly changeable office in which political savvy is more important than governance. They also analyze the institution, the individuals who have served, their interaction with the public and with other governmental branches, and their impact on public policy. An in-depth case study of Bill Clinton explores the relationship between his personality and background and his performance in office.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
I THE PRESIDENT AND THE PUBLIC	3	(196)
1 THE CHANGING PRESIDENCY	3	(40)
Conceptions of the Presidency	4	(8)
The Presidency: Changeable and Political	12	(2)
Constitutional Design	14	(9)
Expansion of the Presidency	23	(10)
Presidential Culture	33	(4)
Conclusion	37	(5)
Readings	42	(1)
2 ELECTION POLITICS	43	(53)
Evolution of the Selection Process	44	(6)
Defining the Pool of Eligibles	50	(6)
Competing for the Nomination	56	(9)
The National Convention	65	(2)
The General Election	67	(20)
Validation	87	(2)
Transitions to Governing	89	(5)
Readings	94	(4)
3 PUBLIC POLITICS	96	(51)
Public Attitudes Toward the Presidency	97	(14)
Projecting a Favorable Image	111	(5)
The President and the Media	116	(14)
Presidents and Parties	130	(9)
The Rhetorical Presidency	139	(7)
Readings	146	(1)
4 PRESIDENTIAL CHARACTER AND PERFORMANCE	147	(52)
Determinants and Evaluation of Performance	148	(4)
What Manner of Person?	152	(9)
Psychological Characteristics of U.S. Presidents	161	(8)
Management Styles of Modern Presidents	169	(5)
Understanding Presidents: The Case of Bill Clinton	174	(15)
Seeking Presidential Success	189	(6)
Readings	195	(4)
II THE PRESIDENT AND THE GOVERNMENT	199	(128)
5 LEGISLATIVE POLITICS	199	(45)
Development of the President's Legislative Role	202	(3)
The Presidential-Congressional Relationship	205	(8)
The President's Legislative Powers	213	(8)
The President's Legislative Influence	218	(9)
The President and Legislation	227	(8)
The President's Effect on Congress	235	(2)
Conclusion	237	(5)
Readings	242	(2)
6 EXECUTIVE POLITICS	244	(44)
The President as Executive	245	(2)
The President and the Executive Branch	247	(11)
The President and the Cabinet	258	(6)
Presidential Control of the Bureaucracy	264	(10)
Presidential Management of the Bureaucracy	274	(6)
Conclusion	280	(7)
Readings	287	(1)
7 JUDICIAL POLITICS	288	(39)
Presidential Appointment of Federal Judges	291	(16)
Other Presidential Influences on the Federal Courts	307	(6)
Judicial Checks of Presidential Action	313	(6)
Conclusion	319	(5)
Readings	324	(3)
III THE PRESIDENT AND PUBLIC POLICY	327
8 THE POLITICS OF DOMESTIC POLICY	327	(38)
The Domestic Policy Process	330	(9)
The Domestic Policy Environment	339	(5)
The Domestic Policy Apparatus	344	(7)
Modern Presidents and Domestic Policy	351	(7)
Conclusion	358	(6)
Readings	364	(1)
9 THE POLITICS OF ECONOMIC POLICY	365	(40)
Macroeconomic Policy	366	(3)
Microeconomic Policy	369	(3)
Presidents and the Economy: 1933-1996	372	(6)
The Politics of Macroeconomic Policy Making	378	(6)
The Economic Subpresidency	384	(7)
Presidents and Economic Policy Coordination	391	(5)
The Congressional Role in Macroeconomic Policy	396	(3)
Conclusion	399	(5)
Readings	404	(1)
10 THE POLITICS OF NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY	405	(38)
Issues and Conflicts in National Security Policy	406	(7)
The National Security Policy-Making Problem	413	(1)
The President, Congress, and National Security	414	(16)
Organizing and Managing National Security	430	(6)
Conclusion	436	(5)
Readings	441	(2)
11 THE PRESIDENCY AT CENTURY'S END	443	(24)
The Presidency Since Midcentury	444	(5)
The Clinton Presidency	449	(3)
The Presidency at Century's End	452	(6)
The Presidency at Century's End: An Assessment	458	(6)
Readings	464	(3)
APPENDIXES	467	(14)
INDEX	481