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 establishes consensus before doing anything? The Paradoxes of the American Presidency, 2/e, suggests that Americans want the president to be both a leader and a follower, partisan and bipartisan, and innovative and conservative.

In the second edition of this acclaimed book, Cronin and Genovese explore the complex institution of the American presidency by presenting a series of paradoxes that shape and define the office. They examine the clashing expectations and demands placed upon presidents, offering students the opportunity to understand the dilemma faced by all incumbents--how to bring leadership into a system where expectations exceed the resources and power available to them. The authors focus on the various relationships all presidents must develop if they are to lead successfully--relations between the president and: Congress, the public, the courts, the cabinet, and the Vice President. This book also treats the managerial side of the executive branch, the vagaries of the selection process, and the inherent contradictions of leadership in a democratic system. Thoroughly revised and updated, The Paradoxes of the American Presidency, 2/e, covers the Clinton impeachment, the 2000 election, the first three years of the Bush presidency, the events and aftermath of September 11, and the war with Iraq. Written in a lively, engaging style, this comprehensive, interpretive work represents the collaboration of two prize-winning presidential scholars.

(on the first edition)

"One of the most clarifying and brilliant books on presidential leadership. . . . a modern classic."--Warren Bennis, University of Southern California

"I found [the] paradoxes tremendously illuminating and beautifully set forth. . . . A wonderful achievement."--James MacGregor Burns, Pulitzer Prize winning presidential biographer and historian

"A provocative, fresh, and enlightening examination of the American presidency."--David Gray Adler, Idaho State University

"The scholarship throughout is first-rate....The authors are to be commended for this outstanding accomplishment. They have summarized a massive literature, added their own considerable insights, and top things off with a sparkling style of writing."--Loch Johnson, University of Georgia

About the Authors:

Thomas E. Cronin is a noted political scientist and writer who has written widely on American government. His books include The State of the Presidency; Direct Democracy; and he is coauthor of the best-selling text Government by the People. He serves as President of Whitman College. Michael A. Genovese is Professor of Political Science and Director of the Institute for Leadership Studies. He is the author of The Presidential Dilemma, The Presidency in an Age of Limits, and other books.

Preface

1. Presidential Paradoxes

2. Electing American Presidents

3. Evaluating Presidential Performance

4. Presidential Power and Leadership

5. The Presidential Job Description in a Separated System

6. Presidents and Congress

7. Presidents and Political Parties

8. Presidents and the Supreme Court

9. Presidents and the Cabinet

10. The American Vice Presidency

11. "If Men Were Angels . . ." Presidental Power and Accountability

Selected Bibliography

Notes

Index