Synopses & Reviews
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.
Synopsis
The historic election of Barack Obama has ushered in a new era of hope and optimism across America. However, can Obama--or any President--live up to the incredibly high expectations that we have of our presidents?
Elegantly written, timely, and easily accessible to students, the third edition of The Paradoxes of the American Presidency considers this crucial question and many more. Two highly esteemed presidential scholars, Thomas E. Cronin and Michael A. Genovese, explore the complex institution of the American Presidency by presenting a series of paradoxes that shape and define the office. Thoroughly updated and revised to reflect recent political events--from the attacks of 9/11, to the war on terrorism and the controversial eight-year George W. Bush presidency, to the economic meltdown of 2008 and the election of Barack Obama--the third edition incorporates findings from the latest scholarship, the most recent elections and court cases, and relevant survey research.
Table of Contents
Preface1. Presidential Paradoxes
2. How We Judge Presidents
3. How We Elect Presidents
4. Presidential Power and Leadership
5. Presidents in a System of Shared Powers
6. Presidents and Congress
7. Presidents as Chief Executives
8. The American Vice-Presidency
9. Presidents and the Court
10. Presidents and Political Parties
11. The Future of the American Presidency
Internet Links
Selected Bibliography
Presidential Election Results
Index