The American presidency : an intellectual history
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
The American presidency : an intellectual history
University Press of Kansas, c1994
- :pbk.
Available at 21 libraries
Note
Includes bibliographical references and index
Description and Table of Contents
- Volume
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ISBN 9780700606528
Description
In this work, McDonald explores how and why the presidency has evolved into such a complex and powerful institution, unlike any other in the world. Scores of republics have come into existence during the last two centuries and many have adopted constitutions similar to the USA's. But, McDonald argues, the American presidency is unique - no other nation has a leadership position that combines the seemingly incongruous roles of ceremonial head of state and chief executive magistrate. Lacking an acceptable role model, McDonald explains, the founding fathers constructed their idea of the presidency from sources as diverse as the Bible, Machiavelli, John Locke, the Ancient Greeks and Romans, the laws of England and the early colonial and state government experiences. So many influences, he suggests, guaranteed a substantial degree of persistent ambiguity and contradiction in the office. McDonald chronicles the presidency's creation, implementation and evolution and explains why it's still working today despite its many perceived afflictions. Along the way, he provides commentary on the Constitutional Convention, ratification debates, presidencies of Washington and Jefferson, presidential administration and leadership, presidential-congressional conflicts, the president as chief architect of foreign policy, and the president as myth and symbol. He also analyses the gap between what is expected of presidents and what they can reasonably hope to accomplish.
- Volume
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:pbk. ISBN 9780700607495
Description
This is a provocative essay on the ambiguities and dilemmas of the American presidency. It offers observations on the issues and controversies surrounding high office, questioning what a president does and by what right he or she does it. This book was named one of the Year's Best Books on Politics by the ""Chicago Sun-Times"".
by "Nielsen BookData"