Thinking About the Presidency

The Primacy of Power

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, Leadership, Government
Cover of the book Thinking About the Presidency by William G. Howell, Princeton University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: William G. Howell ISBN: 9781400866212
Publisher: Princeton University Press Publication: March 22, 2015
Imprint: Princeton University Press Language: English
Author: William G. Howell
ISBN: 9781400866212
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication: March 22, 2015
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Language: English

All American presidents, past and present, have cared deeply about power--acquiring, protecting, and expanding it. While individual presidents obviously have other concerns, such as shaping policy or building a legacy, the primacy of power considerations--exacerbated by expectations of the presidency and the inadequacy of explicit powers in the Constitution--sets presidents apart from other political actors. Thinking about the Presidency explores presidents' preoccupation with power. Distinguished presidential scholar William Howell looks at the key aspects of executive power--political and constitutional origins, philosophical underpinnings, manifestations in contemporary political life, implications for political reform, and looming influences over the standards to which we hold those individuals elected to America's highest office.

Howell shows that an appetite for power may not inform the original motivations of those who seek to become president. Rather, this need is built into the office of the presidency itself--and quickly takes hold of whoever bears the title of Chief Executive. In order to understand the modern presidency, and the degrees to which a president succeeds or fails, the acquisition, protection, and expansion of power in a president's political life must be recognized--in policy tools and legislative strategies, the posture taken before the American public, and the disregard shown to those who would counsel modesty and deference within the White House.

Thinking about the Presidency assesses how the search for and defense of presidential powers informs nearly every decision made by the leader of the nation. In a new preface, Howell reflects on presidential power during the presidency of Barack Obama.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

All American presidents, past and present, have cared deeply about power--acquiring, protecting, and expanding it. While individual presidents obviously have other concerns, such as shaping policy or building a legacy, the primacy of power considerations--exacerbated by expectations of the presidency and the inadequacy of explicit powers in the Constitution--sets presidents apart from other political actors. Thinking about the Presidency explores presidents' preoccupation with power. Distinguished presidential scholar William Howell looks at the key aspects of executive power--political and constitutional origins, philosophical underpinnings, manifestations in contemporary political life, implications for political reform, and looming influences over the standards to which we hold those individuals elected to America's highest office.

Howell shows that an appetite for power may not inform the original motivations of those who seek to become president. Rather, this need is built into the office of the presidency itself--and quickly takes hold of whoever bears the title of Chief Executive. In order to understand the modern presidency, and the degrees to which a president succeeds or fails, the acquisition, protection, and expansion of power in a president's political life must be recognized--in policy tools and legislative strategies, the posture taken before the American public, and the disregard shown to those who would counsel modesty and deference within the White House.

Thinking about the Presidency assesses how the search for and defense of presidential powers informs nearly every decision made by the leader of the nation. In a new preface, Howell reflects on presidential power during the presidency of Barack Obama.

More books from Princeton University Press

Cover of the book Covenants without Swords by William G. Howell
Cover of the book Accelerating Democracy by William G. Howell
Cover of the book Complexity and the Art of Public Policy by William G. Howell
Cover of the book Mass Flourishing by William G. Howell
Cover of the book Big Mind by William G. Howell
Cover of the book One Hundred Semesters by William G. Howell
Cover of the book Why Not Socialism? by William G. Howell
Cover of the book Decolonization by William G. Howell
Cover of the book Boilerplate by William G. Howell
Cover of the book The Citizen and the Alien by William G. Howell
Cover of the book Syllabus of Errors by William G. Howell
Cover of the book Beautiful Death by William G. Howell
Cover of the book Liberalism by William G. Howell
Cover of the book Krupp by William G. Howell
Cover of the book The Travels and Adventures of Serendipity by William G. Howell
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy