No Blank Check: The Origins and Consequences of Public Antipathy towards Presidential Power

No Blank Check reveals that the public is deeply concerned with core democratic values and punishes unilaterally minded presidents and their policies. It challenges existing theories of presidential power by demonstrating the public's capacity to tame the unilateral impulses of even the most ambitious presidents.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 22 September 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

From the American founding to the present day, concerns about unaccountable executive power have been a recurring theme in political debates. Many people believe that the use of unilateral power by presidents threatens American democracy. No Blank Check presents a fresh perspective: Rather than assuming that Americans are apathetic towards how presidents exercise power, the book reveals that the public is deeply concerned with fundamental democratic values. By drawing on data from original surveys, innovative experiments, historical polls, and contexts outside the United States, the book highlights the skepticism of Americans towards presidential power. This skepticism leads to a public that punishes presidents who act unilaterally and the policies they pursue. By departing from existing theories of presidential power that solely focus on institutional constraints, this timely and revealing book demonstrates the public's ability to curb the unilateral impulses of even the most ambitious presidents. Ultimately, when it comes to exercising power, the public does not grant the president a blank check.

Background:
The power of the presidency has been a subject of debate and discussion for centuries. While the Constitution grants the president a significant amount of authority, there have been concerns about the potential for abuse and overreach. Concerns about unaccountable executive power have particularly arisen in recent years, as presidents have increasingly used their powers to bypass Congress and implement policies on their own.

No Blank Check:
No Blank Check is a book that examines the public's perception of presidential power and how it affects the behavior of presidents. The book is written by political scientist Jennifer Lawless, who argues that the public is deeply concerned with core democratic values and that this skepticism shapes their views on presidential power.

Public Skepticism:
According to the book, the public is skeptical of presidential power and believes that it should be limited and checked. This skepticism is driven by a number of factors, including the growing influence of the media and the public's increasing awareness of the power of the presidency. The public is also concerned about the potential for abuse and overreach by the president, particularly in times of crisis.

Public Punishment:
As a result of this skepticism, the public punishes presidents who act unilaterally and pursue policies that they believe are against democratic values. The book provides examples of how the public has reacted to presidents who have used their power in ways that they believe are against the interests of the people. For example, the public was outraged by President George W. Bush's decision to invade Iraq without the approval of Congress, and this led to a decline in his popularity and a loss in the 2008 election.

Conclusion:
No Blank Check is a timely and important book that provides a new perspective on the public's perception of presidential power and how it affects the behavior of presidents. The book demonstrates that the public is deeply concerned with core democratic values and that this skepticism shapes their views on presidential power. The public's willingness to punish presidents who act unilaterally and pursue policies that they believe are against democratic values is a significant threat to the power of the presidency. As a result, it is important for policymakers to be mindful of the public's views on presidential power and to work to limit the power of the presidency in ways that protect democratic values.

Weight: 526g
Dimension: 152 x 227 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781316626474