Obama'S Fractured Presidency: Policies and Politics

The book explores the successes and failures of President Obama's tenure in the White House, focusing on domestic policy and the weakening of the institutional Presidency in a polarized political context.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2020
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

The book "The Obama Presidency: European and American Perspectives on Successes and Failures" presents a comprehensive analysis of President Obama's tenure in the White House, drawing insights from both European and American perspectives. The book focuses primarily on domestic policy and explores the reasons behind the failure of Obama's anticipated moment of change. It highlights the challenges Obama faced in navigating partisan and institutional obstacles, as well as the loss of momentum that occurred after his 2008 election. The book argues that these developments illustrate the weakening of the institutional Presidency in a context of polarized politics, leaving many of the fault lines of American society unaddressed and paving the way for the Trump campaign in 2016.

The book is divided into several chapters, each of which examines a different aspect of Obama's presidency. The first chapter, "The Obama Presidency: A European Perspective," provides a historical overview of Obama's election and the challenges he faced in the early years of his presidency. It highlights the impact of the financial crisis on Obama's policies and the response of the European Union to the crisis. The second chapter, "The Obama Presidency: A Domestic Policy Perspective," explores the successes and failures of Obama's domestic policy agenda. It discusses the Affordable Care Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and the response to the Great Recession. The third chapter, "The Obama Presidency: A Global Perspective," examines Obama's foreign policy and the challenges he faced in addressing global issues such as climate change, terrorism, and the rise of China. The fourth chapter, "The Obama Presidency: A Legacy Perspective," assesses the legacy of Obama's presidency and the impact it has had on American politics and society.

One of the key themes of the book is the weakening of the institutional Presidency in a context of polarized politics. The authors argue that the partisan divide in Congress and the growing influence of special interests have made it difficult for the President to implement his agenda. They also point to the rise of populism and the decline of trust in government as factors that have contributed to the weakening of the Presidency.

Another important theme of the book is the impact of the financial crisis on Obama's policies. The authors argue that the crisis had a profound impact on the American economy and that Obama's response was both effective and innovative. However, they also point to the criticism that Obama's response was too slow and that it did not address the root causes of the crisis.

The book also examines the response to the Great Recession. The authors argue that Obama's response was successful in preventing a second Great Depression, but that it was not enough to address the underlying economic problems that led to the crisis. They also point to the criticism that Obama's response was too focused on Wall Street and that it did not address the needs of ordinary Americans.

In addition to the analysis of Obama's presidency, the book also includes a number of essays that provide a broader perspective on the American presidency. These essays explore the history of the Presidency, the role of the Presidency in American politics, and the challenges that Presidents face in today's world.

One of the essays in the book, "The Presidency and the American Dream," explores the role of the Presidency in shaping the American Dream. The authors argue that the Presidency has played a critical role in shaping the American Dream, but that it has also been a source of inequality and injustice. They argue that the Presidency needs to be more responsive to the needs of ordinary Americans and that it needs to be more accountable to the American people.

Another essay, "The Presidency and the Media," explores the relationship between the Presidency and the media. The authors argue that the media has played a critical role in shaping public opinion and that the Presidency has been able to use the media to its advantage. However, they also point to the criticism that the media has been too biased and that it has not provided a fair and balanced coverage of the Presidency.

In conclusion, "The Obama Presidency: European and American Perspectives on Successes and Failures" is a comprehensive and insightful book that offers a range of perspectives on President Obama's tenure in the White House. The book highlights the challenges Obama faced in navigating partisan and institutional obstacles, as well as the loss of momentum that occurred after his 2008 election. It argues that these developments illustrate the weakening of the institutional Presidency in a context of polarized politics, leaving many of the fault lines of American society unaddressed and paving the way for the Trump campaign in 2016. The book is divided into several chapters, each of which examines a different aspect of Obama's presidency, and includes a number of essays that provide a broader perspective on the American presidency. Whether you are a student of American politics or a general reader interested in the Presidency, this book is a must-read.

Weight: 684g
Dimension: 154 x 231 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474454940